Encroachments by Tibetans not to be removed: Kaul Singh

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, March 22

Minister for Health and Revenue Kaul Singh Thakur today said the state government would not remove encroachments made by Tibetans in various parts of the state.

While addressing a programme organised at the Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute of the Dalai Lama in McLeodganj here, he said the HP High Court had ordered the removal of encroachments on forest lands in the state.

In this regard, proceedings were made against many Tibetans also who had encroached upon forest land. However, now the Himachal Government had brought a policy under which encroachments made by Tibetans would not be removed, he said.

He said Tibetans who had made encroachments would have to apply to the state government for regularisation of their establishments. The government would legalise their establishments as per the laid down policy, he said.

Over 200 establishments of Tibetans that were brought up on the forest land in McLeodganj were facing eviction proceeding in various courts. The establishments include many Tibetan monasteries and Tibetan Children villages. The minister said the Tibetan medical therapy was unique and old. It could provide treatment for various ailments without side effects.

He said the Tibetans who had been staying in Himachal for the past more than 50 years had become an integral part of the state culture. They were not refugees but an important part of the Indian society, Kaul said.

The minister said the state government was formulating a policy for allotting 20-25 acre land in the high-altitude areas to Tibetans for growing herbs and medicinal plants.

He honoured various Tibetan medical practitioners who have practicing in the area for the past many years. The minister also said that the state government had provided reservation of one medical seat for Tibetans in all existing and upcoming medical colleges in the state. Leader of Tibetan people-in-exile, Sikyong, Lobsang Sangay was also present on the occasion.