India’s ambitious renewable energy project in Ladakh, worth nearly ₹60,000 crore, plans to use 48,000 acres of land for solar and wind power. While this may bring clean energy and jobs, it also raises serious concerns about the survival of Ladakh’s world-famous pashmina industry. The land chosen for the project is the grazing ground of the Changpa nomads, who raise pashmina goats. Their wool is the base for the luxury pashmina shawls that support thousands of families.
As an expert, I see both opportunity and risk. Renewable energy is important for India’s future, but it cannot come at the cost of destroying the lives of herders and a fragile mountain ecosystem. The project uses more land because it has been shifted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) transmission. This means extra space is needed for power lines and infrastructure, further shrinking grazing areas. Without written guarantees of grazing rights and fair compensation, the Changpas may lose their livelihood, forcing many to abandon their traditional way of life.
Ladakh’s high-altitude pastures are delicate. Construction, roads and heavy equipment could harm the grasslands permanently. If the goats lose their pastures, the global pashmina industry will also suffer, weakening India’s cultural and economic heritage.
I strongly believe the government must find a balance. Protecting grazing routes, involving herders in decision-making and providing fair payments are essential steps. Renewable energy should light India’s future, but it must not darken the centuries-old heritage of Ladakh’s pashmina.
