When Ladakh was opened to tourists in the 1970s, some us reached there for trekking but by a long approach and long trek., it was enjoyable but hard work. Soon there was a hue and cry about the impact of tourism on the culture of one of the highest civilisations on the earth. Nearly five decades since, Ladakh and the Ladakhis seem to have done not too badly. In the past it took almost three weeks to reach Leh, now a flight lands there daily, taking Ladakh into a different generation, another century so to speak.

Tourists have been allowed to visit several parts of the district, to witness a monastic way of life, to climb mountains and enjoy the lakes. When I visited the recently opened Rupshu district of southeast Ladakh in 1995, there were notes of caution about environmental damage, signs of which I did not come across much. What was worrying was the fact that the locals themselves were using many products with modern-day packaging which was likely to litter the area in future.

The Nubra valley, now easily accessible due to new roads, is a paradise for climbers. The new climbing areas and high peaks are just a couple of days away from these roads. As per recent studies the highest number of unclimbed high peaks surround this valley.