{"id":9361,"date":"2025-06-03T15:47:22","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T10:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centraltibetanreliefcommittee.net\/?page_id=9361"},"modified":"2025-06-03T15:47:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T10:17:22","slug":"bir-dege","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/centraltibetanreliefcommittee.net\/index.php\/bir-dege\/","title":{"rendered":"Bir Dege"},"content":{"rendered":"

Background & History:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Tibetan Khampa Industrial Society \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

Location and Geography:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u00b0C to 30\u00b0C, winter temperatures from 0\u00b0C to 15\u00b0C, and an average annual rainfall of about 2,300 mm, mostly during the monsoon season (June to September).<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Distance from Bir Tibetan Market area (Gandhi chowk) to Dege office, Bir is 1.0 Km<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Distance from Bhattu Tibetan colony to Dege office, Bir is 6 Km<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Distance from Chauntra Tibetan colony to Dege office, Bir is 4 Km<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

Livelihood:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

Institutions under Dege Settlement Office Jurisdiction:<\/strong><\/p>\n

6 Monasteries:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat, Bhattu under H.H The 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa Rinpoche, established in 1976 (Population of 689)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Nyingmapa Buddhist Charitable Institute, Chougan under Rigo Tulku Rinpoche, established in 1980 (Population of 204)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro Institute, Chauntra under Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, established in (Population of 530)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Zabsang Choekhorling Monastery, Chauntra under Shatrul Damchoe Rinpoche, established in 2014 (Population of 69)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Zigar Tashi Thupten Chokhor Gephel Ling, Chauntra under Kyabje Zigar Choktrul Rinpoche (Population of 3)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Mangalam Charitable Trust, Chauntra managed by Tsurphu Labrang, established in 2014 (Population of 8)<\/p>\n

1 Clinic: Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute), Chauntra established in 2010 (Population of 97)<\/p>\n

1 School: Tibetan Children\u2019s Village (TCV), Chauntra established in 2004 (Population of 513)<\/p>\n

1 Camp: Lily Tibetan Village & Welfare Society established in 2016 (Population of 198)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

Administrative Setup:<\/span><\/span><\/h3>

The Representative Office of the Dege Division operates with a total of six staff members\u2014comprising four contractual employees under the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and two society-appointed staff members from within the Dege community.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Settlement Officer also represents the community in dealings with local authorities\u2014from 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Nearest Railway Station: Ahju \u2013 3 km (local); Pathankot Junction \u2013 112 km (major)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Nearest Airport: Kangra Airport (Gaggal, Dharamshala) \u2013 67\u201370 km<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Nearest Bus Station: Baijnath \u2013 approx. 12 km<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Nearest Post Office: Upper Bir \u2013 approx. 1.5 km<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Nearest Police Station: Upper Bir \u2013 approx. 1.7 km<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Distance to Dharamshala (McLeod Ganj): 70\u201375 km (approx. 3 hours by road)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>

<\/div>\"\"<\/div><\/div>

750<\/span><\/span><\/h1><\/div>
Initial Population<\/span><\/span><\/h6>
<\/div>
<\/div>\"\"<\/div><\/div>

2915<\/span><\/span><\/h1><\/div>
Present Population<\/span><\/span><\/h6>
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