Tibet Policy Institute Launches In-depth Study on Mass Relocation of Tibetan Farmers and Nomads from Nagchu to Sinburi in Lhoka. Photo / Tenzin Phende / CTA

Dharamshala: Earlier today, the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI), affiliated with the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Administration, held the launch of an in-depth study on the mass relocation of Tibetan farmers and nomads from three districts of Nagchu (Naqu) prefecture to Sinburi (Senburi) Village, Gongkar (Gongga) County, Lhoka. This relocation is part of the PRC’s Extremely High-Altitude Ecological Relocation programme in Tibet and has alarming repercussions for the Tibetan people. Although the Chinese government justifies this relocation as a very high-altitude ecological relocation, it is a pretext primarily aimed at population control.

The launch of this book-length research paper was attended by Secretary Karma Choeying from the DIIR, along with TPI Director Dawa Tsering and Deputy Director Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha. Members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen and Gyaltsen Choekyi, a Chinese language tutor at the Norbulingka Institute, were also invited to the event due to their intimate familiarity with Nagchu, their hometown.

TPI researchers Dr. Tsewang Dorji Jeshong and Lobsang Tashi, who spent approximately six months researching this issue, were also among the guests on the dais to address the event.

Following opening remarks by the Director and Deputy Director of TPI, Tibetan Parliamentarian Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen and Gyaltsen Choekyi shared their respective thoughts and insights on this repressive programme by the Chinese government. In his talk, Parliamentarian Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen commended the researchers for this publication, stating that although the Chinese authorities claim the programme aims to ease administrative and financial burdens, it has caused tremendous consequences by directly affecting the livelihoods of Tibetans in these regions. “As the authorities required all children from the affected areas to attend state-run boarding schools, elders in nomadic families were unable to continue their herding activities, effectively losing their traditional way of life. They are also unable to adapt to this new way of life and eventually succumb to alcoholism, leading to infighting within the community.”

In the same vein, former Nagchu resident Gyaltsen Choekyi voiced concerns about the survival of the unique Tibetan identity and the preservation of rich traditional lifestyles. “This is part of the PRC’s larger colonisation and sinicisation policy targeting the Tibetan ethnic group,” she declared. “Since the intrinsic Tibetan traditions remain pure among the Tibetan farmers and herdsmen, the PRC intends these measures to dilute and ultimately eradicate these inherited traditions.” She then called for more initiatives from the Central Tibetan Administration and Tibetans worldwide to draw global attention to these issues.

Following this, researcher Dr Tsewang Dorji Jeshong explained the key objectives of this work, how it evolved into an extensive research publication, and shared the challenges faced during the process. “We reached out to many sources, especially those from the region in question, to gain deeper understanding. Although we do not claim this is a comprehensive study, we are grateful for the deeper understanding gained through this research,” he said. He also discussed the sources and materials obtained for this work, including official documents and newsletters from within Tibet.

Researcher Lobsang Tashi extended a vote of thanks to all resource persons, mentors, and facilitators who supported the project in his address.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Secretary Karma Choeying, who stated, “Although research work is a challenging task that demands dedication and effort, its outcomes must be highly accurate and able to withstand criticism in order to maintain authenticity.” He further recommended that such work should be translated into English and other languages to broaden its reach and accessibility.