A comparative study of wool quality of sheep breeds in Gilgit-Baltistan,Pakistan

Livestock in gilgit baltistan contributes significantly to the nutritional requirements and economy of the people of the area. sheep is a sacrificial animal and very important to many communities as it fits better to environmental and socioeconomic circumstances of the area. the locally made woolen products from sheep such as shuqa,socks,blankets,shawls,gloves,jerseys and woolen caps are major source of income generation. in order to compare the wool quality of sheep,samples were collected from various breeds of sheep from all over gilgit baltistan. average fibre diameter (μm) was found to be 30.22±13.68,29.56±15.09,35.42±15.30,30.39±13.90,36.72±21.95,28.43±15.16,30.61±15.27 and medulation (%) 28.83,26.19,32.49,23.14,39.90,20.62 and 22.94 for koh-e- ghezir,batherathi,gojali,baltistani,diameri,gilgiti and astori breeds,respectively. information has been provided about the indigenous woolen products,raw materials and their market prices based on a survey of the three markets of gilgit. copyright © 2014 zoological society of pakistan.