Introduction

Kham Kathok Tibetan Settlement was established in 1967 by Kyabchi Wangpoen Tulku Tsultrim Gyatso Rinpoche and responsible Heads with an initial population of 500. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 of the Indian Government. The Settlement was administered by the Managing Committee elected President of the Society till 1892 after which, it was handed over to CTA.

Kham Kathok Tibetan Settlement is located at the remote Indian village of Sataun and the nearest town, Paonta Sahib is 19km away. It is situated at the end of two small valleys and surrounded by low hills. Currently, the size of the settlement stands at 35.4 acres and the population stands at 152.

500

Initial Population

152

Present Population

Facilities at the Settlement

Monastery : Kathok Monastery under the guidance of Rinpoche Pema Choeying Lama has 25 monks.

Society : Kham Kathok Tibetan Society, registered in 1968 is situated right across the Settlement Office.

Hospital : A small clinic staffed by one nurse and visit from Paonta Mentse-khang once per month.

Administrative setup

Representative : The settlement officer who is appointed by the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala is the over all in charge of the settlement in all spheres ranging from maintaining law and order to development and poverty alleviation works. He acts as liaisons 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 : Two villages possess an elected group leader 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.

 

Travelling Mode

Nearest Bus Stand : Paonta Sahib, 19km away.

Nearest Railways Station : Dehradun Railway Station, Dehradun, 70 km away

Nearest Airport : Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, 95km away