People from the Nubra Valley The hard-working people have utilized every possible piece of land for habitation after constructing irrigation canals. The tree plantations around the villages enhance the beauty of these settlements, which look like oases in a barren desert.

Freshly picked tomatoes in the Nubra valley. Credit: Discover India

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the inhabitants of the Nubra Valley. They also grow apricots, apples, walnuts and vegetables, which are consumed both locally and also sent outside. Water supply is readily available. However, the unproductive soil gives a meagre yield for want of manures and fertilizers.

The people rear yaks, goats and cows besides growing barley, potatoes and vegetables. Yaks are prized animals, with many uses. They are beasts of burden, their coarse wool is woven into thick black cloth to provide garments and tents, their milk is used to make butter and cheese, while the dried dung is used as fuel. This incidentally is the primary source of fuel in the remote region. The skins of the yaks are used for making leather, while yak meat is consumed.

Dressed in woollen robes, the women wear crudely tanned goat skins on their backs and heavy jewellery around their necks. Many sport fancy dog-ear fur flaps and turquoise studded head straps. Many women wear their finest jewellery even while working in the field.