Mcleodganj, Dharamshala December 27 – The Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to improve the basic amenities in Mcleodganj-Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Chinese troops marched into Tibet in 1950 and the Dalai Lama, the Buddhist spiritual leader fled to India with thousands of his followers nine years later after a failed uprising against communist rule.
Mcleodganj-Dharamshala is an important destination for cultural tourists and the provincial government has decided to improve facilities on a priority basis by according a “special status” for the project.
Residents said they hoped that the newfound status would make life easy in the beauteous, but remote region.
Narendra Pathani, a local, said: “If this status is given, then this is very good for us. There are no proper roads and there are no parking facilities. I think then the construction will be done properly and our town will get a boost.”
Ethna, a tourist from Ireland added: “The countryside here is very beautiful. It’s very peaceful and tranquil, there is no hassle. It’s a wonderful place and it was our dream to meet Dalai Lama.”
Over 5,000 foreign tourists arrive every year to see the region’s rich Buddhist heritage.
The special status, which entails more grants, is expected to preserve the fragile region’s ecological balance and boost its tourism potential.
India is now home to the world’s largest number of exiled Tibetans fighting for autonomy of their homeland from Chinese rule.
Tibetans say over 1.2 million fellow countrymen have died in their homeland since Chinese rule because of violence.
However, China denies human rights abuses in Tibet where it says its rule has brought about a big rise in living standards.
