The Tribes

The Tribes

Another crucial link in eco tourism are the local people who help preserve the nature trails. The tribals in Himachal Pradesh are a major component of eco-tourism. The entire areas of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur near Ladakh and Tibet were once full of different tribal groups. However, over a period of time, the tribal population of the state has decreased since more and more tribals have migrated to other places and have risen enough to support separate families. A prominent tribe of Himachal are the Shephards (known as Gaddis here) who rear goats and sheep and keep moving with them to higher pastures in summers and lower, more warmer regions in winters.

Another prominent tribal group is that of Kinnars inhabiting the district of Kinnaur. Some of them are engaged in horticulture and agriculture. They also rear goat and sheep for wool. Their marriage customs are very interesting. All the brothers in the family share one wife, however this tradition is changing slowly. Like Kinners, there is also another tribal group called Lahule, mainly so since they live in Lahaul area. They are an intermixed tribe. They are racially intermixed tribe with Tibetans. Very colourful people in terms of dresses and ornaments, their valley comes on the trade route to Ladakh and Sinkrang.