A study was carried out (375 days) in the outer Himalayas (29 °25′N and 79 °35′E) where the agroclimate for the major part of the year is cold and humid. Nine male pashmina (Cheghu) kids, (aged 5–6 months) with mean body weight 11.3 ± 0.5 kg, were randomly assigned to three groups of three animals each in a completely randomized design. Animals were fed a concentrate mixture along with ad lib. oats hay (Group I) or freshly lopped green oak ( Quercus semecarpifolia) leaves (Groups II and III), while Groups I and II were provided CP and TDN requirements (as per NRC recommendations), animals in Group III were given 16% higher CP. A metabolism trial was conducted 270 days post experimental feeding. DM intake, average daily gain (ADG), pashmina fibre yield, urinary N excretion, N balance, N retention as % of N absorbed, rumen liquor pH and TCA soluble N did not differ significantly among groups. Digestibility of DM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF was significantly depressed in Group II as compared with Group I. Between Groups I and III, digestibility of CP and EE was comparable but DM, NDF and ADF digestibilities were higher ( P < 0.01) in Group I. Though total N intake was higher ( P < 0.01) in Group III as compared with Groups I and II, N-balance was similar ( P > 0.05) in all groups. Between Groups I and III, mean values of VFA and various N fractions in strained rumen liquor were identical except TCA ppt. N, which was increased ( P < 0.01) in Group I. No lesions of any significance were found in the vital organs of the animals in the various groups. The depressing effect of oak leaves on digestibility of nutrients could be ameliorated by providing higher CP content in the diet of animals. It may, therefore, be concluded that 25–30% CP in the diet of pashmina goats can safely be furnished by oak leaves without affecting their health and production.