Changthangi goats, also known as Pashmina goats, are indigenous to the Ladakh region in Kashmir, India. Renowned for their dual-purpose utility, they are raised for both meat and cashmere wool production, in addition to serving as pack animals for transportation in the rugged terrain of the Himalayan region. These goats are typically observed in white hues, although variations in color including black, gray, or brown are also seen.
One striking feature of Changthangi goats is their large twisting horns, which are characteristic of the breed. These distinctive horns add to their unique appearance and serve various purposes in their natural habitat, such as defense and territorial display.
A significant milestone in the history of Pashmina goats is the cloning of Noori, the world's first cloned Pashmina goat, at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST) in Shuhama, on March 15, 2012. This groundbreaking achievement marked a significant advancement in genetic research and contributed to the conservation and enhancement of this valuable breed.