Tibetan Bonpo Foundation, Dolanji
A brief story of Tibetan Boenpo Foundation, Dolanji, H.P.
Introduction:
Apart from the six major land settlements for Tibetan refugees which are being financed by the Government of India, there are a few other settlements which are agricultural based and are therefore land settlements, but which otherwise are considerably smaller and, being situated in the hills, follow a more intensive and mixed farming system. The largest of these settlement is situated at Dolanji in the Shimla area. This project is being sponsored by the catholic Relief Services, New Delhi, and is intended to rehabilitate a total of 80 refugee families-approximately 350-400 persons.
Settlement Location
This settlement is situated at Dolanji - Solan District near Shimla. It is at a height of 4000 ft. above sea level. The climate here is mild.
Settlement Population
| Initial population | 310 |
| Present Population | 336 |
No of Villages
This settlement consist of only one village with 74 family.
Settler's Livelihood
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the settlers. Besides agriculture, some of the settlers engaged with small seasonal petty garment business.
Facilities in the settlement
| School | 1) Boarding School up to class XII. |
| Health facilities | 1) modern allopathic hospital |
| Monastery | 1) Bon Menre ling Monastery |
| Old People's Home | Nil |
Administrative setup
Tibetan settlement Officer
at Dolanji is the representative office of Department of Home,
Central Tibetan Administration. It is serving as the liaison
between the Tibetans in the region and the Department of Home,
Central Tibetan Administration. The settlement officer were
directly elected from settlement people. It is the principle
office to look after welfare and overall control of running of
affairs of the Tibetans in the settlement. Daily task for the
representative range from adjudicating disputes to communicating
with group leaders and outside authorities, and generally watching
over the running of all aspects of the settlement.
Local Assembles:
Like every other genuine democratic system the
Tibetans in Dolanji elect their own representative for better
understanding of the problems with them. These elected members act
as an intermediary with relevant authorities, pass on information,
settle disputes and collect money. They can bring up the problems
of the Tibetan people and raise the question on the working
of the Tibetan settlement Officer. These members are elected on
the basis of their strength of personality and once ability to
stand before the interest of their people.
Traveling Guide
| Nearest Railway station | Solan | 14 |
| Nearest Air port | Shimla | 40 |
| Bus and Taxi services | Yes |