Introduction
During the early years of refugees many of Tibetan moved towards the hilly area of Himachal Pradesh state of India and engaged as laborer in road construction. Many of them settled around the area of Kullu and Manali. So, to look after the socio-economic development of Tibetans around these areas, Tibetan Welfare office of Central Tibetan Administration was set up. Palrabling Tibetan Settlement, Kullu is established in 1992 and the total area of the settlement is 32 biswas.
Settlement location:
Palrabling Tibetan settlement, Dhobi located near the bank of river Sutlej is 25km away from Kullu Distric of Himachal Pradesh and about same distance to Manali Town. From Kullu towards Tibetan Settlement, you’ll reach several villages but one of the nearest to reach Dolnhala is Raison village. Dolnhala is the Local name of the area where the Tibetan Settlement is situated. If you go further from Dolnahla you will first reach Dhobi village, then Katrain, Patlikuhl, 15 Mile, and so on until you reach Manali.
The average altitude of the area is 1926 meter above sea level and average rainfall is 1200ml. The average temperature is 0° – 35° celsius.
Settlement Population
No. of villages in the settlement:
Palrabling Tibetan settlement is a small settlement and is not divided into villages but many of Tibetans are scattered around the town.
Settler’s livelihood:
As the settlement is located at the hill station of Himachal Pradesh state there fore, the main source of income for the Tibetan in settlement are small petty business and own small shop for the tourist.
Facilities in the settlement:
| School | One day school up to class VIII Three Nursery and Créche |
|---|---|
| Health facilities | Three modern allopathic clinics (each at Kullu, Dhobi and Manali) Tibetan Medical and Astro. Institute (Manali) |
| Monastery | There are 6 monasteries at Kullu Valley area:
|
| Old People’s Home | There was one small old people’s home with 15 destitute elders but later on it was shifted to Chauntra Old People’s Home |
Administrative setup
CTA Representative:
Tibetan Settlement Office at Dhobi Kullu is the representative of the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration. It is serving as the liaison office of Central Tibetan Administration for the Tibetans in Kullu Manali area and other outside authority. It is the principle office to look after the welfare and overall control of running of affairs of the Tibetans in the area. Daily task for the representative ranges 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 Kullu Manali areas elect their own representatives for better understanding of the problems with them.The actual term of Local Assembly is for five years and they hold session twice in year with Tibetan Welfare Officer. During the session 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.