Generally, the mention of the world tribal gives vivid images of indigenous people living amidst dense jungles, and using a variety of forest resources for their sustenance. Such ecosystem people who enjoy the bounty of nature are the fortunate ones, as there are others who are not so lucky. The trans-Himalayan tribal community living along the Indo-China border of Himachal Pradesh in the sub-divisions of Pooh (Kinnaur distt.) and Spiti (Lahaul & Spiti dist.) are such an unfortunate lot. The mountain slopes of this cold desert zone are generally devoid of natural vegetation.