Leh, Aug. 1 -- For the people of Ladakh, Pashmina wool is more than just a product-it's a symbol of identity and a major engine for economic prosperity.

Though Ladakh is the sole region in India that produces this prized wool, its people are still striving for full recognition of that fact, and helping the cause is a cooperative society that looks after the production and marketing of the super-fine wool.

The All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Marketing Society has been working since 1995 to ensure that the Pashmina wool fetches the maximum price for its producers, the nomadic herders of Ladakh.

Since 2004, the cooperative has been procuring the raw wool from these herders and processing it into the finest Pashmina wool at its...