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<div>{{Use Indian English|date=April 2016}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}}<br />
{{refimprove|date=May 2016}}<br />
{{Infobox settlement<br />
| name = Nubra<br />
| settlement_type = region<br />
| image_skyline = Nubra Valley 2.jpg<br />
| image_alt = <br />
| image_caption = Nubra Valley with [[Diskit|Diskit Gompa]] and town immediately below and [[Hunder]] in the distance<br />
| pushpin_map = India Ladakh#India<br />
| pushpin_label_position = <br />
| pushpin_map_alt = <br />
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ladakh, India<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|34.6|N|77.7|E|display=inline,title}}<br />
| subdivision_type = Country<br />
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}<br />
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|Union Territory]]<br />
| subdivision_name1 = [[Ladakh]]<br />
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of Ladakh|District]]<br />
| subdivision_name2 = [[Leh district|Leh]]<br />
| established_title = <!-- Established --><br />
| established_date = <br />
| founder = <br />
| named_for = <br />
| government_type = <br />
| governing_body = <br />
| unit_pref = Metric<br />
| area_footnotes = <br />
| area_rank = <br />
| area_total_km2 = <br />
| elevation_footnotes = <br />
| elevation_m = <br />
| population_total = <br />
| population_as_of = <br />
| population_rank = <br />
| population_density_km2 = auto<br />
| population_demonym = <br />
| population_footnotes = <br />
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]<br />
| utc_offset1 = +5:30<br />
| footnotes = <br />
}}<br />
'''Nubra''', also called '''Dumra''', is a historical region of [[Ladakh]],<ref><br />
{{harvp|Shakabpa, One Hundred Thousand Moons|2009|pp=583-584}}: "The Tibetan soldiers pursued the remaining troops as far as a place called Dumra,[10: These days, Dumra is called Nupra] just one day’s journey from Leh, where the Tibetan army pitched their camp."<br />
</ref> that is currently administered as a [[Leh_district#subdivision|subdivision]] and a [[tehsil]] in the [[Leh district]]. Its inhabited areas form a tri-armed valley cut by the [[Nubra River|Nubra]] and [[Shyok River|Shyok]] rivers. Its Tibetan name ''Dumra'' means a "valley of flowers".<ref name=kapadia>{{cite book |last=Kapadia |first=Harish |title=Across Peaks & Passes in Ladakh, Zanskar & East Karakoram |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pl5qHu_K45kC&pg=PA230 |year=1999 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-100-9 |page=230}}<br />
</ref> Demands have been raised and BJP has hinted at creation of Nubra as a new district.<ref name=san1>[https://thewire.in/rights/sankoo-district-protests-kargil 3,000 Demonstrate for Separate District in Sub-Zero Temperatures at Kargil], The Wire, 06/FEB/2020.</ref> [[Diskit]], the headquarters of Nubra, is 120&nbsp;km north from [[Leh]], the capital of Ladakh.<br />
<br />
The [[Shyok River]] meets the [[Nubra River]] (or Siachan River) to form a large valley that separates the [[Ladakh Range|Ladakh]] and [[Karakoram]] Ranges. The Shyok river is a tributary of the Indus river. The average altitude of the valley is more than {{convert|10000|ft|m}} above the sea level. The common way to access this valley is to travel over the [[Khardung La]] pass from Leh.<br />
<br />
Foreign nationals are required to get a [[Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958 (India)|Protected area permit]] to visit Nubra. Since 1 April 2017 Indian citizens are also required to get an [[Inner Line Permit]] to visit it.<ref>[http://lehladakhxp.com/destinations/nubra-valley// People, Attractions & Transportation in Nubra Valley], The Off: Leh Ladakh XP (Jai Kishan), 17 March 2021.</ref><br />
<br />
== Name ==<br />
Nubra ({{bo|t=ནུབ་ར|w=nub ra|s=nup ra}}) means "western" in Ladakhi, thus referring to the "western valley", perhaps distinguishing it from the eastern Shyok river valley, which is thinly populated. The traditional name of the region is Dumra ({{bo|t=ལྡུམ་ར|w=ldum ra|s=dum ra}}), meaning the "valley of flowers".<ref name=kapadia/><br />
<br />
== Geography ==<br />
[[File:Shyok2.svg|thumb|right|275px|The region of Nubra is drained by the Shyok and Nubra rivers]]<br />
[[Alexander Cunningham]] listed Nubra as one of the five natural and historical divisions of Ladakh.<ref><br />
{{harvp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|p=18}}: "The natural divisions of the country are: 1st, ''Nubra'' on the Shayok; 2nd, ''Ladak Proper'', on the Indus; 3rd, ''Zanskar'', on the Zanskar river; 4th, ''Rukchu [Rupshu]'', around the lakes of Tshomo Riri [Tso Moriri] and Tsho-Kar; 5th, ''Purik, Suru, and Dras'', on the different branches of the Dras river; 6th, ''Spiti'', on the Spiti river: and 7th, ''Lahul'', on the Chandra and Bhaga, or head-waters of the Chenab. These also are the actual divisions of the country, for the natural boundaries of a mountainous district generally remain unaltered, in spite of the changes wrought by war and religion. Ladak is divided politically between Maharaja Gulab Sing and the East-India Company. To the former belong all the northern districts, to the latter only the two southern districts of Lahul and Spiti."<br />
</ref> Nubra occupies the northeastern portion of Ladakh, bordering [[Baltistan]] and [[Xinjiang Autonomous Region|Chinese Turkestan]] in the north, and the [[Aksai Chin]] plateau and Tibet in the east. In Cunningham's conception, Nubra includes all the region drained by the [[Nubra River|Nubra]] and [[Shyok River|Shyok]] rivers. it is 128 miles long and 72 miles wide, making up an area of 9,200 square miles. It extends south till the [[Pangong Lake]].{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|p=21}}<br />
<br />
In modern nomenclature, the Nubra region is divided into "[[Diskit|Diskit Nubra]]" in the north and the "[[Darbuk|Darbuk region]]" in the south, both of which are regarded as tehsils and subdivisions of the [[Leh district]].<ref>[https://leh.nic.in/about-district/administrative-setup/tehsil/ Tehsil], Leh district administration, retrieved 15 November 2020.</ref> The Diskit Nubra region includes the [[Turtuk]] block populated by [[Balti people]], which became a part of Indian-administered Kashmir after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], and the unpopulated [[Siachen Glacier]] region.<ref><br />
Muhammad Raafi, [https://kashmirlife.net/border-area-deep-network-intelligence-agencies-including-ib-mi-cid-ibf-nubra-129828/ Interview of Delan Namgial], Kashmiri Life, 17 January 2017.<br />
</ref><br />
<br />
The populated part of Nubra is often described as a "tri-armed valley",<ref><br />
Sumedha Das, [https://www.thestatesman.com/supplements/voices/paradise-on-earth-2-1502825668.html Paradise on Earth], The Statesman, 24 November 2019.<br />
</ref><br />
the three arms being:{{sfnp|Vohra, Mythic Lore from Nubra Valley|1990|pp=225–226}}<br />
* the Nubra River Valley (divided into three sections called ''Yarma'', ''Tśurka'' and ''Farka''),{{efn|''Yarma'' is the upper part of the valley above [[Panamik]], ''Tsurka'' is the right bank of the valley below Panamik, while ''Yarma'' is the left bank.}}<br />
* ''Gyen'', the upper Shyok valley from its southern bend till the confluence with the Nubra River, and<br />
* ''Shama'', the lower Shyok valley from the confluence till the [[Chorbat]] area.{{sfnp|Vohra, Mythic Lore from Nubra Valley|1990|pp=225–226}}<br />
The eastern Shyok valley is mostly unpopulated, even though it has numerous camping sites that have been used by trade caravans. [[Murgo]] is a village on the tributary called Murgo Nala.<br />
<br />
=== Topography ===<br />
[[File:India Ladakh With Some Features.png|thumb|right|275px|The topography of Ladakh]]<br />
Like the rest of the [[Tibetan Plateau]], Nubra is a high altitude [[cold desert]] with rare precipitation and scant vegetation except along river beds. The villages are irrigated and fertile, producing wheat, barley, peas, mustard and a variety of fruits and nuts, including blood apples, walnuts, apricots and even a few almond trees. Most of Nubra is inhabited by Nubra dialect or Nubra Skat speakers. The majority are Buddhists. In the western or lowest altitude end of Nubra near the Line of Control i.e. the Indo-Pak border, along the [[Shyok River]], the inhabitants in village turtuk are [[Balti people|Balti]] of [[Gilgit-Baltistan]], who speak Balti, and are [[Shia]] and [[Sufia Nurbakhshia]] Muslims.<br />
<br />
[[Siachen Glacier]] lies to the north of the valley. The [[Sasser Pass]] and the famous [[Karakoram Pass]] lie to the northwest of the valley and connect Nubra with [[Uyghur Khaganate|Uyghur]] (Mandarin : [[Xinjiang]]). Previously there was much trade passing through the area with western China's [[Xinjiang]] and Central Asia. The people of [[Baltistan]] also used the Nubra valley for passage to Tibet.<ref name=Sering>Senge H. Sering, <br />
[http://www.idsa.in/strategiccomments/ReclaimingNubraLocalsShunningPakistaniInfluences_SHSering_170809 “Reclaiming Nubra” – Locals Shunning Pakistani Influences] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708074525/http://www.idsa.in/strategiccomments/ReclaimingNubraLocalsShunningPakistaniInfluences_SHSering_170809 |date=8 July 2016 }}, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, Delhi, 17 August 2009.</ref><br />
<br />
=== Places ===<br />
<br />
[[Diskit]] town in the valley have become the congregation centre for people of the region. Diskit is the headquarters of Nubra and thus has lot of government offices with basic facilities. It is also connected by road with Leh. <br />
<br />
Along the Nubra or Siachan River lie the villages of Sumur, Kyagar (called Tiger Hill by the Indian Army), [[Tirith]], [[Panamik]], [[Turtuk]] and many others.<br />
<br />
== Travel routes ==<br />
[[File:Map of Tibet and Pangong Lake in 1873 from Hindutagh-pass-aksai-chin-center2-1873 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Historical trade routes through Nubra and Aksai Chin (Sketch map by [[Henry Trotter (Indian Army officer)|Henry Trotter]], 1878)]]<br />
<br />
The main road access to Nubra is over [[Khardung La]] pass which is open throughout the year. The highest elevation of Khardung La is 5,359 m (17,582 ft), its status as the highest motorable road in the world is no longer accepted by most authorities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nubra Valley - World's Finest Wool|url=https://www.worlds-finest-wool.com/nubra-valley/|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-10|website=www.worlds-finest-wool.com|language=en-US}}</ref> An alternative route, opened in 2008, crosses the [[Wari La]] from [[Sakti, Leh|Sakti]], to the east of Khardung La, connecting to the main Nubra road system via [[Agham, India|Agham]] and [[Khalsar, India|Khalsar]] along the [[Shyok River]]. There are also trekkable passes over the Ladakh Range from the Indus Valley at various points. Routes from Nubra to [[Baltistan]] and [[Yarkant County|Yarkand]], though historically important, have been closed since 1947 and 1950 respectively.<br />
<br />
== Tourism ==<br />
[[File:Tourists riding bactrian camels.jpg|thumb|Tourists riding Bactrian camels in Hundar]]<br />
[[File:Nubra Sand Dunes.jpg|thumbnail|right|Sand Dunes of Nubra valley.]]<br />
<br />
The Nubra valley was open for tourists up to [[Hundar, India|Hunder]] (the land of sand dunes) until 2010. The region beyond Hunder gives way to a greener region of Ladakh because of its lower altitude. The village of [[Turtuk]] which was unseen by tourists till 2010 is a virgin destination for people who seek peace and an interaction with a tribal community of Ladakh. The local Muslim tribe, [[Balti people]], follows its age old customs in their lifestyle and speak a language which is just spoken and not written. For tourists Turtuk offers serene camping sites with environment friendly infrastructure.<br />
<br />
[[Panamic|Panamik]] is noted for its hot springs. Between Hundar and Diskit lie seven kilometres of sand dunes, and (two-humped) [[Bactrian camel]]s graze in the neighbouring "forests" of seabuckthorn. Non-locals are not allowed below Hundar village into the Balti area, as it is a border area.<br />
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=== Monasteries ===<br />
[[File:Maitreya Buddha, Nubra.jpg|thumb|Maitreya - 33 metre symbol of peace facing West. '''Nubra Valley''']]<br />
<br />
The 32 metre Maitreya Buddha statue is the landmark of Nubra and is maintained by the [[Diskit Monastery]]. On the Shyok River, the main village, Diskit, is home to the dramatically positioned Diskit Monastery which was built in 1420 AD. Hundar was the capital of the erstwhile Nubra kingdom in the 17th century, and is home to the Chamba Gompa. <br />
<br />
Samstanling Monastery is between Kyagar and Sumoor villages. Across the Nubra or Siachan River at Panamik, is the isolated Ensa Gompa .<br />
<br />
=== Flora and fauna ===<br />
<br />
The valley is famous for its forest of [[Hippophae]] shrub, popularly known as Leh Berry. It is within this shrub forest that one can spot the [[white-browed tit-warbler]]. One can also spot the [[Tibetan lark]], [[Hume's short-toed lark]], and [[Hume's whitethroat]]. The various water birds like [[ruddy shelduck]], [[garganey]], [[northern pintail]], and [[mallard]] can be observed on several small water bodies scattered along the route. Besides these, [[Charadriiformes|waders]] like [[black-tailed godwit]], [[common sandpiper]], [[common greenshank]], [[common redshank]], [[green sandpiper]], and [[Ruff (bird)|ruff]] can be spotted in Nubra.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Khan|first=Asif|date=2016|title=Ladakh: The Land Beyond|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7UUVmCgCiGATFFhcGJqdkg3S28/view?usp=sharing|journal=Buceros|volume=21 |issue=3|pages=6–15}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Education ==<br />
<br />
The valley has been secluded as has been most of the exterior parts of Ladakh. Almost all of the region has been facing problems to get good quality education. There have been initiatives in the past by the government but extreme weather conditions and vicinity to the borders have been a major hurdle in implementing a solid education base. There is also migration of the population that gets exposed to the big cities of India and hence the people do not get benefitted out of their local learned population. There are very few Non-Government organizations active in Nubra region.<br />
<br />
==Gallery==<br />
<gallery widths="160px" heights="160px" perrow="4"><br />
Image:Nubra_pano.jpg|A panoramic view over the Nubra<br />
File:Diskit gompa nubra1.jpg|[[Diskit Monastery]]<br />
Image:Shoyok and Nubra Valley map.jpg|Local map with North towards down<br />
Image:Nubra valley Diskit 2001.jpg|View from Diskit gompa on Nubra Valley<br />
File:Seabuckthorn berries, Nubra valley, Ladakh.jpg|Seabuckthorn berries, Nubra valley, Ladakh<br />
File:Bactrian camels - Nubra.jpg|Bactrian camels<br />
File:Silhouette at Nubra Valley.JPG|Silhoutte taken at Nubra Valley<br />
File:Nubra valley hunder.jpg|This is enroute town called [[Hunder]] in Nubra.<br />
File:Nubra Valley 2.jpg|Nubra Valley with [[Diskit|Diskit Gompa]] and town immediately below and [[Hunder]] in the distance<br />
File:Resort Guest House in nubra valley Leh Ladakh02.jpg|Resort in Nubra Valley<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Ladakh]]<br />
* [[Khardung La]]<br />
* [[Siachen Glacier]]<br />
* [[Thoise]]<br />
* [[Chalunka]]<br />
* [[Himank|Project HIMANK]], road builders in the valley and creators of curious sign boards<br />
* [[Disket]]<br />
<br />
== Notes ==<br />
{{notelist}}<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== Bibliography ==<br />
* {{citation |last=Cunningham |first=Alexander |title=Ladak: Physical, Statistical, Historical |publisher=Wm. H. Allen and Co |location=London |year=1854 |url=https://archive.org/details/ladakphysicalsta00cunnrich |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Cunningham, Ladak|1854}}}}<br />
* {{citation |last=Francke |first=Rev. A. H. |author-link=A. H. Francke |title=A History of Western Tibet |publisher=S. W. Partridge & Co |date=1907 |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofwestern00ahfr/page/n6 |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Francke, A History of Western Tibet|1907}}}}<br />
* {{citation |title=Glacier Exploration in the Eastern Karakoram |first=T. G. |last=Longstaff |journal=The Geographical Journal |volume=35 |number=6 |date=June 1910 |pages=622–653 |publisher=The Royal Geographical Society |doi=10.2307/1777235 |jstor=1777235 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1759495 |ref={{sfnref|Longstaff, Glacier Exploration in the Eastern Karakoram|1910}}}}<br />
* {{citation |last=Shakabpa |first=Tsepon Wangchuk Deden |title=One Hundred Thousand Moons: An Advanced Political History of Tibet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lGyrymfDdI0C |year=2009 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-17732-1 |ref={{sfnref|Shakabpa, One Hundred Thousand Moons|2009}}}}<br />
* {{citation |first=Nawang Tsering |last=Shakspo |chapter=The Foremost Teachers of the Kings of Ladakh |editor1=Martijn van Beek |editor2=Kristoffer Brix Bertelsen |editor3=Poul Pedersen |title=Recent Research on Ladakh 8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HjBuAAAAMAAJ |year=1999 |publisher=Aarhus University Press |isbn=978-87-7288-791-3 |pages=284– |ref={{sfnref|Shakspo, The Foremost Teachers|1999}}}}<br />
* {{citation |last=Thomson |first=Thomas |title=Western Himalaya and Tibet: A Narrative of a Journey Through the Mountains of Northern India, During the Years 1847-8 |year=1852 |url=https://archive.org/details/b2935173x |via=archive.org |publisher=Reeve and Company |ref={{sfnref|Thomson, Western Himalaya and Tibet|1852}}}}<br />
* {{citation |title=Mythic Lore and Historical Documents from Nubra Valley in Ladakh |first=Rohit |last=Vohra |journal=Acta Orientalia Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae |volume=44 |number=1/2 |year=1990 |pages=225–239 |publisher=Akadémiai Kiadó |jstor=23658122 |ref={{sfnref|Vohra, Mythic Lore from Nubra Valley|1990}}}}<br />
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== External links ==<br />
{{commons category}}<br />
{{wikivoyage|Nubra Valley}}<br />
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{{Ladakh}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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[[Category:Valleys of Ladakh]]<br />
[[Category:Indus basin]]<br />
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