Kargil: Local butter produced in the remote pastures of Zanskar Valley has entered the formal food market after receiving registration from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The initiative, steered by the Higher Education Department of UT Ladakh and executed by Government Model Degree College (GMDC) Zanskar, is expected to give long-awaited commercial identity to the indigenous product known as Zanskar Mar.
Officials confirmed that the registration was completed under the guidance of the Secretary, Higher Education Department, and the supervision of GMDC Zanskar Principal Dr. Amjad Ali Abassi. The move places the traditional butter—derived from the milk of the region’s yak, locally called Demo—on a regulated platform after decades of unbranded local trade.
Produced in the high-altitude Doksa pastures, Zanskar Mar is valued for its dense nutritional profile and high fat content. Until now, the butter has circulated only within village markets, limiting both its reach and the income of dairy producers who rely on traditional methods.
The project was carried out in partnership with Enterprising Ladakh under the Ladakh Skill Development Mission (LSDM). College representatives said the branding effort aims to improve earnings for local dairy farmers while safeguarding Zanskar’s longstanding dairy practices.
With formal recognition secured, officials expect the butter to access broader markets and build visibility for one of Zanskar Valley’s enduring food traditions.
