Background & History:

The Tibetan Khampa Industrial Society – Dege Division (T.K.I.S-Dege Division) was officially registered in 1966, and in 1967, 118 acre land was purchased in Himachal Pradesh across Chougan (Bir), Bhattu, and Chauntra for the resettlement of Tibetan refugees from the Dege region in Kham, Tibet. The society was formally inaugurated in 1968. Initially, the society launched economic initiatives including a tea estate and a Tibetan handicraft carpet-making factory to support the settlers. However, these ventures faced financial challenges, limited market access and these business ventures did not yield sustainable income hence they were eventually shut down.

From its establishment until 2009, the community was managed by an elected society president and appointed members under The Representative Office of Dege Division, who handled administrative affairs and communicated with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). In 2009, the society formally integrated with the CTA, and in coordination, elected its first settlement officer, leading to the creation of a CTA-recognized settlement office for the Dege Division. Members of the Dege Tibetan Society reside primarily in Chougan and Bir, which are located in Kangra district, as well as in Chauntra, which falls under the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.

The Dege settlement comprises residential clusters, monastic institutions, small businesses, and community facilities spread across the villages of Chougan(Bir), Bhattu, and Chauntra. The layout is semi-rural, with homesteads scattered between small markets, monasteries, and community offices.

Location and Geography:

The Dege Tibetan Settlement office is located in the Chougan, Bir subdivision of Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India. Situated in the foothills of the Dhauladhar mountain range, the settlement lies at an elevation of approximately 1,525 meters (5,000 feet) above sea level. The area is known for its serene landscape, surrounded by pine forests and rolling hills. The region enjoys a temperate climate, with summer temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C, winter temperatures from 0°C to 15°C, and an average annual rainfall of about 2,300 mm, mostly during the monsoon season (June to September).

· Distance from Bir Tibetan Market area (Gandhi chowk) to Dege office, Bir is 1.0 Km

· Distance from Bhattu Tibetan colony to Dege office, Bir is 6 Km

· Distance from Chauntra Tibetan colony to Dege office, Bir is 4 Km

The settlement is accessible via local roads connecting to National Highway 154, with the nearest town being Baijnath which is 11 km. The terrain is mostly hilly with some flat stretches in Chougan (Bir) and Chauntra.

Livelihood:

The majority of society members engage in seasonal winter clothing businesses, selling sweaters, jackets, woolen garments, and related items for around four months each year. In addition to this seasonal livelihood, quite a few families are involved in home stays, guest homes, restaurants, cafes, tailoring, carpentry, and running small shops that sell Tibetan & western attire, carpet, souvenirs. These diverse livelihood efforts, though modest, collectively sustain the economic fabric of the settlement.

Institutions under Dege Settlement Office Jurisdiction:

6 Monasteries:

· Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat, Bhattu under H.H The 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa Rinpoche, established in 1976 (Population of 689)

· Nyingmapa Buddhist Charitable Institute, Chougan under Rigo Tulku Rinpoche, established in 1980 (Population of 204)

· Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro Institute, Chauntra under Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, established in (Population of 530)

· Zabsang Choekhorling Monastery, Chauntra under Shatrul Damchoe Rinpoche, established in 2014 (Population of 69)

· Zigar Tashi Thupten Chokhor Gephel Ling, Chauntra under Kyabje Zigar Choktrul Rinpoche (Population of 3)

· Mangalam Charitable Trust, Chauntra managed by Tsurphu Labrang, established in 2014 (Population of 8)

1 Clinic: Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute), Chauntra established in 2010 (Population of 97)

1 School: Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), Chauntra established in 2004 (Population of 513)

1 Camp: Lily Tibetan Village & Welfare Society established in 2016 (Population of 198)

The Representative Office of the Dege Division operates with a total of six staff members—comprising four contractual employees under the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and two society-appointed staff members from within the Dege community.

The Settlement Officer is elected by the Dege society for a three-year term. This officer serves as the key liaison between the CTA and the Dege Society, overseeing both administrative and operational affairs. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with CTA protocols, as well as state and district regulations.

The Settlement Officer also represents the community in dealings with local authorities—from panchayat-level offices to state-level departments, including coordination with the police and the Foreigners Registration Offices (FROs) in Kangra, Dharamshala, and Chauntra. The role involves upholding strong relationships with all stakeholders to protect and promote the welfare of the Tibetan community.

Key duties include supervising office operations and staff, addressing complaints and public inquiries, organizing community events, and coordinating with various society committees. The Settlement Officer also handles CTA documentation, reporting, and project submissions tailored to the needs of the society, and regularly participates in official programs and events held at local schools, monasteries, and other institutions.

Connectivity:

· Nearest Railway Station: Ahju – 3 km (local); Pathankot Junction – 112 km (major)

· Nearest Airport: Kangra Airport (Gaggal, Dharamshala) – 67–70 km

· Nearest Bus Station: Baijnath – approx. 12 km

· Nearest Post Office: Upper Bir – approx. 1.5 km

· Nearest Police Station: Upper Bir – approx. 1.7 km

· Distance to Dharamshala (McLeod Ganj): 70–75 km (approx. 3 hours by road)