Introduction:
Tashiling Tibetan settlement is located at Pandoh, Distt Mandi, in the Himachal Pradesh state of north India. The settlement was established in the year 1965. Initially the people in this settlement were engaged with the Beas Sutlej link Project, (Project of Bhakra Beas Management Board, Nangal Punjab) and the construction of National High way 21 from Mandi to Manali. Now all the employees of BBMB Pandoh have retired from the service with monthly pensionary benefits.
Settlement location:
The settlement is situated at Pandoh and it is 17 kms away from District Mandi of Himachal Pradesh. The altitude of the area is of 2925 ft above sea level with an average temperature ranging from 20 to 40 Celsius. It receives an annual rainfall of 120 cm and experiences pleasant summers and cold winters.
Settlement Population
No. of villages in the settlement:
The settlement consists of only one village, but there are three scattered colonies under the jurisdiction of this office; Tsopema ( Rewalsar), 41 km away from Pandoh and it has 310 Tibetan refugee population. Then there is Mandi which is 17 km away from Pandoh and has around 101 Tibetan settlers, and finally Sundernagar which is 40 km away from Pandoh and has a population of 92 Tibetan residents. Tashiling settlement office looks after the overall welfare of all of these scattered colonies.
Settler’s livelihood:
Tashiling Handicraft Centre was established in the year 1994 and in the beginning 18 people were engaged in carpet weaving, however this could not provide enough means of livelihood, therefore the handicraft centre was closed in 2000. Today most of the settlers are engaged in the seasonal petty business, working as school teachers and while others are serving as CTA staff etc.
Facilities in the settlement:
| School | 1 Creche and Nursery upto class II |
|---|---|
| Health facilities | 1 Primary Health Center. |
| Monastery | 1 Monastery |
| Aged care | No age care |
Administrative setup:
CTA Representative:
Tashiling Tibetan settlement office, Pandoh is the representative office of the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The settlement office serves as the liaison between the Tibetans in the region and the CTA. It is also the principal office to look after the welfare and overall running affairs of the Tibetans in the settlement under the policy and guidance of CTA. Daily task for the representative ranges from adjudicating disputes to communicating with Local assembly and outside authorities, and keeping good relations with Local Indian officials and people.
Local Assemblies:
Like any other democratic system, Tibetans under Mandi Tibetan settlement office elect their own representatives for the better understanding of the problems arising in their locality. Local Tibetan Assembly body consist of eleven representative members with four members from Tsopema, two members from Mandi, two from Sundernagar, and three representative members from Pandoh. The actual term limit of the Assembly is of three years and the members can be re-elected after their tenure. The assembly holds two sessions in a year in the presence of Settlement Officer. During the session, members can raise questions on the working of settlement office and other general problems and legislate rules and regulations.