During the early years of 1960s, many Tibetan Refugees moved towards the hilly area of State of Himachal Pradesh (India) and engaged as laborer in high altitude road construction of the Manali to Ladakh. Hundreds of Tibetans settled in and around the area of Kullu-Manali with the comparative weather condition and altitude of Tibet. Initially to look after the socio-economic development of the Tibetans settled around these areas, the then Tibetan Welfare Office of the Central Tibetan Administration was set up and gradually the first Palrabling Tibetan Settlement, Kullu was established in the year 1992.

There are two Tibetan Settlements and four scattered Tibetan Communities in Kullu District (H.P) which is administered under the jurisdiction of Kullu-Manali Tibetan Settlement Office as of date. With the total of 4 scattered communities (Manali, 15 Mile, Patlikuhal & Kullu) and 2 clustered settlements (Dobhi Palrablling & Bhuntar Phuntsok Rabtenling), the total of 6 areas stretching for total of 50 kms from the Manali town in the north till the Bhuntar town in the south. The Settlements are as under:-

The Tibetan Settlement Office Kullu-Manali was initially established in the Manali town on 25th September 1984, with the First Representing Officer Mr. Kalsang Wangchuk. Gradually the Representative Office was shifted to the current location of Dobhi Palrabling Tibetan Settlement, P.O. Dobhi, District Kullu in the year 1990s. During this period of four decades there has been 20 Settlement Officers till date. Currently the administrative staffs are posted and timely transferred from the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala (H.P.)

The Settlement office consists of 5 working staffs currently, which are as under:-

1. Deputy Secretary as the Kullu-Manali Tibetan Settlement Officer (CTA)
2. TSO Office Secretary
3. TSO Office Accountant
4. TSO Office Scholarship Secretary (CTRC Staff)
5. TSO Office Driver cum Peon (CTRC staff)

The Tibetan Settlement Officer is appointed by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Dharamsala or in some cases Tibetan Settlement Officer (TSO) is directly elected by the people for three years term. The Tibetan Settlement Officer (TSO) is the overall in-charge of the Settlement in all spheres ranging from maintaining law and order to development and poverty alleviation works. He acts as a Liaison between CTA and State government agencies and any others concerns. Under him each camp has an elected Camp Leaders who is assisted to Tibetan Settlement Office. All development works are implemented through the camp Leaders. Tibetan Settlement Officer takes all major decisions in consultation with the Camp Leaders and is the most important link between the Settlement Office and Community.

The Settlement Office is 22 Kms away from the Manali town and 25 Kms away from Bhuntar, the two farthest Tibetan Communities. It’s located at altitudes between 1200 to 2100 meters above sea level. The average temperature during summer is between 10 °C (50 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F), and between −7 °C (19 °F) to 15 °C (59 °F) in the winter. The average annual rainfall in Kullu and Manali, Himachal Pradesh, is around 1000-1405.7 mm (approximately 40-55 inches) with an average annual rainfall of 207.32 cms.

1. Kullu-Manali Local Tibetan Assembly (LTA) Dobhi Tibetan Settlement.
2. Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement, branch office in Dobhi Tibetan Settlement.
3. Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (R.T.Y.C), established at the settlements.
4. Regional Tibetan Women’s Association (R.T.W.A), established in all the settlements.

Kullu France AET Sponsorship Organization

The Kullu France AET Organization was established around 1985 to provide financial aid for students and support for the elderly in remote and underprivileged communities. Initially, the organization was locally managed, but due to difficulties in maintaining it, in December 1999, the administration of the Kullu France AET Organization was officially handed over to the Tibetan Settlement Office.

In 2006, through a memorandum of understanding between the Central Tibetan Relief Committee, Department of Home, CTA and the Tibetan Children’s Village, the organization continued providing scholarships for Tibetan students. By that time, 270 students from Tibetan homes had received aid. Currently the organization funds in aid to 12 students, 26 elderly individuals, 1 Monk, and 3 differently-able people.

Camp Leaders-:

Kullu-Manali Tibetan Settlement has two compact and six scattered Tibetan colony. Each Camp has one Camp Leaders. In total there are eight Camp Leaders. They are elected by the settlers of respective Camp or by rotation and their jobs are to act as an intermediary with Tibetan Settlement Office and relevant authorities, pass on information settles disputes. Camp Leaders are playing important role for the development of Community.

(a)        Two Clustered Settlements under CTRC:-

1. Palrabling Tibetan Settlement, Dobhi: – With the total leased land measuring 25 Bighas situated in Phatti Dobhi, was initially leased out for Tibetans towards the Rehabilitation purpose as per the lease deed agreement between His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Central Tibetan Relief Committee through the then Executive Secretary Mr. Tashi Phuntsok and the then Governor of Himachal Pradesh through the then Deputy Commissioner dated on 28th December 1992. The primary sources of livelihood for the majority of the people are winter sweater selling business. The Tibetan Settlement Office as the Primary Administrative head & the Local Tibetan Assembly along other Administrative or Non-Administrative organization like the Tibetan Freedom Movement Office (BRDL) and Regional Tibetan Women Association offices all are located in this settlement, as these governing bodies oversee the welfare of the communities and implement duties for the Tibetans settled in Kullu District. The Dobhi Palrabling, being a riparian settlement, it has always been an eminent prone area due to the precarious disasters of river flooding. In order to mitigate this yearly natural hazard, the Department of Home (CTA) has funded numerous projects to construct retaining wall beside the adjacent Beas river flow & the Fozal Nala (Drain). The settlement is 19kms away from Kullu Town and 22kms distant to Manali town. From the main administrative town of Kullu, there are several other villages through the way, but the nearest village to reach the settlement is called Dohlunala after the Raison village. Dohlunala is the local name of the area where the Tibetan settlement is currently situated. There are total of 92 households with the population of 349
2. Bhuntar Phuntsok Rabtenling Tibetan Settlement:- This Settlement was previously a Tibetan Teacher’s Training Centre, due to decreasing number of students, it was gradually provided to through the CTRC to rehabilitate the newly arrived Tibetans from Tibet, those who were living around Sundernagar, Mandi, Riwalsar (Tso-Pema) and Kullu-Manali areas and have not obtained accommodation in Exile. Under the guidance and supervised funds extended by Department of Home (CTA) Dharamsala, the initial renovation work of was commenced in December 2020 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and completed in mid of 2021. Later to which the housings were distributed and provided to the NATs in October 2021. The settlement is located right near the Bhuntar Domestic Airport. This settlement is newly renovated and inaugurated by former Additional Secretary Mr. Dawa Tsultrim (Department of Home) CTA. The Settlement has total of 55 households and till now 52 houses has been distributed and presently it has the total population of 145 members. It is 30 Kms from the Tibetan Settlement Office.

(b)      Four Scattered Tibetan Communities:-

1. Samahan, Manali Tibetan Colony:- In early 1960s, Tibetan residing here was engaged as laborer in road construction in area such as Rothang, Chota Dara, Manali, Bhuntar, Mandi, Sarsai, Kullu and many other places. The well constructed National Highway 21 around Manali is the result of their perseverance on which the road still connects to many remote parts of the State. As the Tibetans settled in and around the Manali main bazaar, later on in the year 1972 and 1975 there were two incidents of fire hazard and following to which they were resettled by the district authorities at current location called Samahan. Initially the location was a barren land and there was minimum occupation by the local villagers. With no objections from the villagers and with the guidance from the then member of the then National Commission of ST and SC Venerable Lama Lobsang and the then Chief Minister late Dr. Parmar intervened on our behalf to allocate the area for Tibetans resettlement. Along with this the then D.C. of Kullu provided approval for the Tibetan to reside there in Samahan with the total allotted land measuring 9 Bigha, each comprised of Khasra no.186 and 182 of Phati Vashisht, Manali, Distt. Kullu. The main source of income for the Tibetan in this area is small petty business and rented small shop as the location being famous for tourist spot during summer and winter seasons. Currently, there are 32 Tibetan households with the population of 127 family members.
2. 15-Mile Tibetan Colony:- Since out of all the other Tibetan Refugee communities settled here including Manali, Kullu and 15 Mile are unregistered and settled since the 1970s. This particular Tibetan community is located right next to the National Highway and it’s also a riparian area along with river Beas. Especially during monsoon season the rise and over flow of the river causes uncertain threat to the life and property of the Tibetan people residing there. To mitigate this disastrous flood especially during the monsoon season, Department of home (CTA) has endowed the construction of concrete retaining wall, which has immensely benefited and relieved he residents. This community is around 10kms from the Tibetan Welfare Office in Dobhi. Presently this colony has 15 household with the population of 51 family members.
3. Kullu Youlokoe Tibetan Colony, Hanumani Bagh:- Initially there were  337 Tibetan Refugees living in and around the Kullu town, As they were located at the present Sarwari Bus stand area, later they were shifted to the current Hanumani Bagh area due to Indian Government project implementations by the then DC and SDM of Kullu District in the year 1978. A Tibetan Day School was formally established on 18^th July 1992, and was running for over 22 years until 31^st Dec. 2014, when it had to be closed due to decreasing number of student’s enrollment. Kullu Youlokoe Tibetan Colony is located right at the edges where two rivers (Beas & Sarvari) merge together. Currently there are 64 household and the population of 271 family members. Their main sources of livelihood are winter sweater selling business and few families with whole year business at the Tibetan market which is located just adjacent to the Tibetan colony. The Tibetan Settlement/Colony is located just below the main town of Kullu.
4. Patlikuhal Tibetan Colony:- In the early 1960s, Tibetan have been residing here they have been engaging as laborer in road construction in area such as Rohtang, Chota-Dara, Manali, Bhuntar, Mandi, Sarsai, Kullu and other places. After the allocation of residents to the Tibetans in the 1995 onwards few Tibetans settled around Patlikuhal town due to the Tibetan Children’s Village School which was providing educational facilities to the children of Kullu area. Presently there are 20 household with the population of 63 family members who are scattered along with the local Indian residents. Their main source of income is relying on selling of seasonal garment.

1. Sambhota Tibetan School, Manali has initially started in the year 1962 to impart formal education for Pre-Primary Tibetan children. The parents and the camp leaders have significantly contributed to improve the overall condition of the school. The number of children gradually increased and the school started having classes up to 5^th Standard. The Department of Education took over the administration of this school on request of the local Tibetans in 1978. With gradual developments the school was further up-graded to class VIII. Unfortunately in the year 1995, Manali valley witnessed a devastating flood, and the entire school area was washed away by the flood being riparian to river Beas. The Department of Education then raised fund for the relocation and started rebuilding the school on the piece of land sanctioned by the Government of India. As of now there are 49 children with 8 teaching and 4 non-        teaching staff in this school. In the year 2009, like many other schools under Sambhota Tibetan             School Society, the STS Manali adopted the implementation of the Basic Education policy and following the grading system of evaluation. The school maintains a syllabus including Tibetan, Math, Dance and Music, Art and Craft; SEE learning, English and Computer (which is taught from 4^th and 5^th standard). Subject including Tibetan, Math, Sensorial and Early Practice Learning are taught to the Pre-Primary students.
2. TCV School Patlikuhal:-The exiting area was initially set up on a temporary basis by the Tibetans who were engaging as laborer in National Highway road construction in Kullu and Mandi district area in the early 1960’s. The school was established in 1968 under the Administration of Tibetan Children’s Village School. Due to the riparian area of the school the institution faces constant risks of flooding especially during the monsoon season. In 1995 it was completely washed away by the flood and which left the children and staffs too temporarily evacuate on a safer grounds. Due to the eminent threat of the seasonal disaster, it was deemed best to relocate and rebuild the school in some other place. With the availability of a land measuring 14.5 acres purchased in the Tibetan settlement of Chauntra aimed to build the new school. In the May month of 2004 the children actually moved from Patlikuhal to the new school and the current institution turned into a Vocational Training Institution with the facility of Tibetan Thanka painting and Tailoring. Presently this institution has only Thangka painting and the current working staff includes: – 1 teaching staff, 3 Non-teaching staff, 8 Students and 7 Old retired staff.

Education is thus important as a way of beating the Chinese. As such school was opened in the settlements to educate their children. Tibetan Children Village School Upper was established in 1960’s with the initial of 55 students and at present there are 900 schools going children.

The settlement has several monastery and nuunery namely. Namgyal Monastery, Kirti Monastry, IBD, Nechung Monastery, Gyutoe Monastery, Gadong Monastery, Tsichok ling monastery,  Gaden Choeling nunnery, Dolma Ling, Shugseb Nunnery, Jangchup Choeling, Shalu Monastry. Rigzin Namdoling, Karma Drubgyu Ling.

1. Tibetan Primary Clinic (One Nurse under Tibetan Volunteer Health Association – Dept. of           Health CTA)
2. Branch of Tibetan Medical & Astrology Institution in Manali (Men-Tsee–Khang)

There are 8 monasteries under the jurisdiction of this administration as:-

1. Von Ngari Monastery, Manali
2. Rateng Monastery,Vashist, Manali
3. Sakya Awam Monastery, Manali
4. Pangang Monastery, Pangang
5. Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery, Kais
6. Druk Dechen Choekorling Monastery, Sarabhai
7. Palpung Yeshi Rabgyaling Nunnery, Bhajoura
8. Chemi Drubpai Gatselling, Chidyari, Manali

Nearest Railway station: – The nearest railway station to kullu-manali is Jogindernagar, which is located approximately 104 kms from the kullu town.

Nearest Airport: – Bhuntar Airport (50 Kms. from the Tibetan Settlement Office at Dobhi) Bus and taxi services are available from any 6 communities.

INITIAL POPULATION

702 in the early days of road construction of the national highway 21 in and around Kullu and Manali.

PRESENT POPULATION

1227 as per the population data as of the beginning of 2025.