Introduction

Gapa Tibetan Settlement in Kamrao was founded in year 1967. On 24th February, 1967 then Kalon Chakro Macha Tsewang Gyurme of Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration, CTA begun a process of settling Tibetan people in Kamrao area to initiate a limestone Mining Industry. At that time Mr.Taopon Rinchen Tsering was one of the MP of 3rd Tibetan Parliament. Mr.Taopon Rinchen Tsering was handed over the primary responsibility of creating the new Tibetan settlement in Kamrao. He approached the concerned government departments in Delhi and followed the guidance of Tibetan Industrial Rehabilitation Society (TIRS) to create the new Tibetan Industrial Society in Kamrao. On 1st March,1967 Mr.Thupten Nyinche, staff of Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Delhi and Mr.Taopon Rinchen Tsering purchased required land for the Tibetan settlement and on 12th April, 1967, then Kalon Wangdor and Translator Takla Se presented and registered the Settlement project, population and Mining factory under the TIRS in Sataun. 

Since 18th July, 2008, the settlement officer for the Gapa Tibetan settlement in Kamrao has been deputed by the CTA. 

Settlement Location: 

The Gapa Tibetan settlement is located on the top of a mountain ranged known as Tillordhar, Kamrao in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh. It is 37 Kms away from Poanta Sahib and 85 Kms from Dehradun. It is situated at the altitude of 1552 meters above the sea level like with same altitude of Bus stand of Dharamshala, Kangra, HP. The average lowest temperature in the month of January is 8°C and the hottest month is May with an average high temperature of 27°C.  The area registers an average rainfall of 1,405mm, especially during the monsoon season. The area is usually covered with thick fog with high humidity from the month of July to September of the year. 

500

Initial Population

143

Present Population

Settler’s Livelihood

During the formative years of the settlement, most of the residents were dependent on mining as the main source of livelihood. Gradually the residents opted for seasonal sweater businesses and restaurant businesses as an alternative source of income. 

Facilities in the settlement

Welfare Society  On 29th September,1967 the “Tibetan Taopon Gapa Welfare Society” formally registered under The Himachal Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2006 with CST-No: 5379 and GST-SIR/III/1949 dt.07.12.1959 as its registration number.  

The initial construction of the settlement begun with the demolition of the mountains for the construction of the roads and construction of the 37 residential houses, school, Teacher staff quarters, Society manager’s quarter, Settlement Office, Crèche, Dispensary, Hostel etc. on the 18 acres of land that were purchased for the settlement.  The Society also purchased 6 bika land in Sataun area and settled 4 households there. The initial donation of amount Rs.17 Lakhs to build the settlement was provided by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama through TIRS, Delhi. 

Later with the support of TIRS, Delhi, Society further purchased 11 Acres of land in Rajban area in 1972. The Initial objective was to generate income for the settlement through cash crop farming etc. However due to lack of water for irrigation and the issue of land encroachment from the local people, society had placed a watchman to look after the land. On 22.06.2022 this land was finally distributed among the Kamrao Tibetan settlers by the society. Currently the Society is in the process of acquiring relevant permits from the concerned Town and Country Planning Department for the construction of houses for the residents on the land.  

 
School & Education  Himalayan Tibetan Public School was established during the formative years of the Settlement with the initial enrolment of 70 students from kindergarten and primary school of classes upto 5th with 7 teachers. As the number of students enrolling in the school decreases gradually, the Dept. of Education, CTA finally merged the school with CST Mussoorie school in year 2002. 

 

Currently, the school continues to have 37 Indian students with 3 Tibetan and 3 Indian teachers and one peon. 

 
Health & Hospital  One modern dispensary Clinic.
A branch of Mentsekhang clinic with doctors from Paonta sahib settlement visiting 20th of every month for consultation and providing medicines. 
Monastery  The settlement also have one small Sakya monastery; called Tsechen Samdup Ling Monastery. 

Kamrao 6

Kamrao 5

Kamrao 4

Kamrao 3

Kamrao 2

Kamrao