Padmasambhava, who pioneered Tantric Buddhism in Tibet, was known as Guru Rinpoche and was also often called the "Second Buddha". He dismissed the native sorcery of the Bon religion and taught Tantra to Grand Master Lu. The Tantric or Vajrayana Buddhists are a cult of people who believe in devotion using a combination of rituals, religious images, diagrams, chanting and singing. The term 'vajra' is derived from Hindu mythology -- the thunderbolt that was the weapon of the Gods. Tantric Buddhists have blended Hindu chants and initiations into their philosophy and Tibet is one of the places in the world where the religion has influenced people most deeply.

Silk paintings of Tantric Buddhist deities adorn the walls and over 300 volumes of the sacred texts of Kenjur and Tenjur are found neatly wrapped in white muslin at the monastery of Kungri. The lamas of Spiti practice the ancient art of Tibetan medicine.

Locals graze their domestic livestock (whose numbers are increasing), which compete with wildlife for the scarce vegetation and thus accelerate soil degradation.

While there is no permanent habitation within the park, 17 thatches are used by shepherds when they bring livestock in for grazing and herb collection is freely permitted for villagers living in the buffer zone. Mules, yaks, sheep, goats, donkeys and the famous Chumurti horses domesticated by the villagers find their way into the valley, thus adding to the problems.

Tourists -- although considerably fewer here owing to severe climatic constraints -- hack branches for campfires and litter the area infringing on the beauty and sanctity of the park. There is no record of the number of tourists who visit the area. Protection staff manning the area includes only one Deputy Range Officer and two Forest Guards. The Deputy Forest Officer at Kaza also functions as the Director of the Park.

The nearest veterinarians are located at Mud and Gulling. Construction of roads, which is presumed to be a positive development, brings with it major environmental problems.