Tibetan Settlement, Bir Chauntra (Bir Nangchen)
A brief story of Bir Chauntra Tibetan Settlement, Himachal Pradesh:
Introduction:
Nangchen Tibetan Settlement is established in 1966 on a total areas of 93.56 acres of land.
Settlement Location
This settlement is located in North India of Himalayas ranges in the State of Himachal Pradesh which is about 60-70 Kms away from Dharamsala. Baijnath and the Jogindernagar is the nearest town to the settlement. The altitude of the place is about 1300 meters away from the sea level. The maximum and minimum temperature of the place is 6 to 31degree Celsius with average annual rainfall is 310 cm.
Settlement Population
| Initial population | 568 |
| Present Population | 771 |
Number of villages
The settlement consist of two villages.
Settler's Livelihood
The major source of income for the settlers were depend on carpet weaving and sweater selling during winter.
Facilities in the settlement
| School | 1) Days school up to class V 1) Nursery & Creche 1) Central School for Tibetan, Chauntra (Boarding School) 1) Tibetan Children Village, School (Boarding School) |
| Health facilities | 1) modern allopathic hospital 1) Tibetan Medical and Astro institute (Doctor from the Bir branch Mentsekhang visit the settlement twice in month) |
| Monastery | 1) Aewam Choegarten Chog gyur meyling. Nyingma Gonpa |
| Old peoples Home | Dhonden Old Peoples' Home initially at Palrabling Settlement (Kullu) with kind support from the Help Tibet, London was shifted to Chauntra on October 2007 and started running from 1st November 2007 but Officially inaugurated on 8th April 2008. There are about 20 elders.
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Administrative Setup
Representative
The settlement officer who is appointed by the Central Tibetan
Administration, Dharamsala is the over all incharge of the settlement in
all spheres ranging from maintaining law and order to development and
poverty alleviation works. He acts as a link between CTA, state and
central government agencies and any other concerns. Under him, each camp
has an elected camp leader who is assisted by group leaders. All
development works are implemented through the camp leaders. Settlement
officer takes all major decisions in consultation with the camp leaders
and is the most important link between the settlement office and the
community.
Group Leaders
Each of the 6 villages possess an elected group leaders whose job is to
act as an intermediary with relevant authorities, pass on information,
settle disputes and collect money. Group leaders are not elected for their
policy-making idea, nor do they campaign on certain issue. These group
leaders are chosen on the basis of their strength of personality and once
ability to stand before the interest of their village. The duty of the
leader is more or less like the representative, but on smaller and more
personal scale.
Traveling Guide
| Nearest Railway station | Aeju | 4 |
| Nearest Air port | Gaggal | 75 |
| Bus and Taxi services | Yes |