Tibetan Settlement, Dharamsala, H.P.
A brief story on Tibetan Welfare Office, Dharamsala.
Introduction:
With kind support from center and state government of India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has moved to Dharamsala and soon the exile government (Central Tibetan Administration) was set up. Then many of Tibetan followed and settled around the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges, Dharamsala. Still many Tibetans continue to migrate in Dharamsala. So, to look after the socio-economic welfare of the Tibetan refugees in and around Dharamsala, the Tibetan Welfare office was established in 1967 and it is the liaison between the Tibetans refugees in Dharamsala and Central Tibetan Administration. The population of Tibetan refugees are grouped under five divisions as per their scattered locations.
Settlement location:
The Tibetan Welfare Office is situated at Mcleodganj in Dharamsala of Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh. It is about 8 km from the main town Dharamsala. The altitude at Mcleodganj is approximately 1750 ft. above sea level and the temperature ranges between 0°-38° Celsius with an average rainfall of 290 cm.
Settlement population:
| Initial population | |
| Present population: | 10,470 |
No. of villages in the settlement:
The Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala are scattered around the hills of Dharamsala and as per their location they were divided into five divisions.
Settler's livelihood:
Tibetans in Dharamsala don't have any land on lease from Indian government like every other settlements in India. So, the main source of livelihood of the Tibetans in Dharamsala are they own small restaurants, shops, seasonal petty business, handicraft work, etc.
Facilities in the settlement:
| School | One day school up to class III (Yongling Creche - Mcleodganj) One day school from III to Vth Standard (TCV Day School - Mcleodganj) One day school up to class II (Gangchen Kyishong) One Secondary School (Lower TCV) One Senior Secondary school (Upper TCV School) |
| Health facilities | One modern allopathic hospital One Tibetan Medical and Astro institute |
| Monasteries | There is 15 monasteries at Dharamsala:
1. Namgyal Monastery |
| Old Peoples Home | There is one old People's Home under the direct care of Department of Home. There are 150 elders and 13 staffs at this home. |
Administrative setup:
Tibetan Welfare Office:
at Mcleodganj is serving as the liaison between the Tibetans
in Dharamsala and the Department of Home, Central Tibetan
Administration. It is the principal office to look after welfare
and overall control of running of affairs of the Tibetans in
Dharamsala. The welfare officer is the representative of the
Department of Home, CTA. 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 Dharamsala
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 Welfare
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 | Pathankot | 80 Km |
| Nearest airport | Gaggal | |
| Bus and taxi services | Yes |