Leh, India's remote northwestern corner, has become a dream destination for travellers and adventure enthusiasts, due to which the tourism has skyrocketed in the region in recent years. This rapid increase in the tourism has played a major role in the changing lifestyle and economy in the Indian Himalayas.
This pace of growth has offered new opportunities to the people living in the region, but is also gradually destroying the age-old Buddhist culture.
Testing Yangchan, 60, a housewife, poses for a photograph in Choklamsar, a village nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 27, 2016. When asked how living in the world's fastest growing major economy had affected life, Yangchan replied: "Medical facilities are much better although crime has risen."Reuters
Tashi Phutit, an 81-year old wheat farmer and housewife, said the economy is changing for good but it is also making people greedy. "Now we can eat better vegetables and wear better clothes. The problem is people are becoming greedy," Phutit, who stays in a stone hut near Leh, told Reuters.
The residents in the Indian Himalayas also pointed out that the changing lifestyle has made their life easier and comfortable, as medical and schooling facilities have improved in the region. "Life has become much easier and much more comfortable," Tsering Gurmet, Phutit's 28-year-old grandson, said.
"The children here no longer care about the culture and they spend less time talking to each other," Mathematics teacher Phunchok Angmo said. "They spend their free time on laptops."
In photos below is the life of the people in the Indian Himalayas:
Stakna monastery catches the evening light near Leh, the largest town in the region of Ladakh, nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 27, 2016.Reuters
Prayer flags stretch towards Tsemo Monastery in the city of Leh, the largest town in the region of Ladakh, nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 26, 2016.Reuters
Tsering Dolma, 51, a housewife and farmer poses for a photograph in Matho, a village nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 29, 2016. When asked how living in the world's fastest growing major economy had affected life, Dolma replied: "We can now afford new machinery due to subsidies which makes our job much easier."Reuters
People play polo in Leh, the largest town in the region of Ladakh, nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 24, 2016.Reuters
Children look down from the Royal Palace in Leh, the largest town in the region of Ladakh, nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 26, 2016.Reuters
Tsering Gurmet, 28, a mountain guide, poses for a photograph in the village of Stok, 15 km from Leh, the largest town in the region of Ladakh nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 28, 2016. When asked how living in the world's fastest growing major economy had affected his life, Gurmet replied: "Life has become much easier and much more comfortable although we are losing our traditions."Reuters
The sun sets in Leh, the largest town in the region of Ladakh, nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 26, 2016.Reuters
Testing Yangchan, 60, a housewife, poses for a photograph in Choklamsar, a village nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 27, 2016. When asked how living in the world's fastest growing major economy had affected life, Yangchan replied: "Medical facilities are much better although crime has risen."Reuters
Dorsey Takapa, 65, a retired goat herder poses for a photograph in Choklamsar, a village nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 27, 2016. When asked how living in the worlds fastest growing major economy had affected life, Takapa replied: "Traditional values are being lost as we focus on money."Reuters
Lights from shops illuminate the city of Leh, the largest town in the region of Ladakh, nestled high in the Indian Himalayas, India September 26, 2016.Reuters
