How Dolpo Society was formed
Until 1988, there was not a single unified indigenous organization in upper Dolpo (which comprises of 7 village Development Committee (VDC) according to the official demarcationare are: Saldang, Bijer, Dho-Tarap, Tsarka, Tinje, Phoksumdho and Mukot VDCs,) and Dolpo Society was formally formed through the initiative of local representatives of all these villages of upper Dolpo. Dolpo Soceity envision to promote and preserve Dolpo’s age old culture and tradition and to bring about overall development in the 7 VDC (Village Development Committee) in upper Dolpo.
Upper Dolpo being one of the remotest, poorest and backward regions in whole of Nepal with its difficult terrains and extreme cold weather has been overlooked despite being a land of tourist potential and other opportunities. There are no motor able roads or airport in upper Dolpo, except the airport near district headquarter, Dunia which is several days journey from upper Dolpo. The people of upper Dolpo are deprived of fundamental rights of good education, basic medical facilities, and others such as postal and electricity services. The death toll cause by lack of basic medical facilities is quite alarming. The existing schools in upper Dolpo have only primary levels and health posts are functional only for a brief summer season. Recently some western NGOs have supported in opening up schools and health posts but due to the insurgency going on in Nepal, these NGOs are being apprehensive of fully implementing further programs. Therefore, some of the NGOs are being inconsistent in supporting their programs in upper Dolpo.
Dolpo Society continues to seek help from the govt, and I/NGOs for the development of upper Dolpo as a whole. As envision in Dolpo Society’s aims and objectives significant contribution has been made for the restoration and renovation of religious monuments, preservation of its valuable religious scriptures, artifacts and its unique monastery at Namdho monastery, Shalri monastery, Karang gonpa, Charkha Gonpa, Dho-Tarap Gonpa, Vijer Gonpa, Kupa Gonpa, Komang Gonpa, Shimong Gonpa, Nyishal Gonpa, and Tichurong Gonpa with cash or kind. Further, Dolpo Society has donated Buddhist canons text (Kagur & Tengur) to some monasteries. In an effort to improve village infrastructures, Dolpo Society has built and repaired 10 bridges at Phosumdho, Saldang and Dho-Tarap villages.
Besides, 55 old and new stupas were renovated and built at Shilri gonpa, Saldang gonpa, Karang gonpa, Yashir gonpa and Margum gonpa. Though modern schools are relatively new in upper Dolpo, in the early nineties, NGOs like “Friends of Nepal” opened up one school in Saldang village, and another NGO “Dolpohilphe”, Germany, started schools in Namdho and Karang villages, Dolpo Society have lent all the support needed to establish these three schools according to the wishes of donors such as donating land for the schools and by providing free labors for building construction of the schools. The centre also helps provide water supply and other help that is needed for the smooth running of the school locally.
The tradition of Amchi (Tibetan doctor) knowledge is family based and unfortunately younger generation in the amchi families are opting for other lucrative businesses and so the tradition of passing amchi knowledge from father to son is fast disappearing. Modern medicine is available only at few govt. health posts run briefly during summer and without sanitary condition and proper medical care; diseases such as dysentery, diarrheas, and tuberculosis are common and are often fatal. Also Child and maternal mortality rate is quite alarming in upper Dolpo.
In 2000, Dolpo Society started a Amchi school “Yothok Norling Soktsho Menkhang” in Saldang Village to uphold and promote traditional herbal medicine knowledge practice by local amchis (doctors) since ancient times. The Menkhang (Clinic) was established with twin objectives of admitting children opting to learn herbal medicine and to provide medical services to the local and outsiders. Today Menkhang has four regular tutors and four students studying medicine at the Mekhang. Yuthok Norling Soktsho Menkhand is partially supported by “Drokpa” an INGO based in USA. Dolpo Society envision to upgrade the existing Menkhang and to establish new Menkhangs in other villagers. Dolpo Society strive to uphold this unique tradition of amchi knowledge passed down from our ancestors and help provide medical facilities to the locals and the people visiting the upper Dolpo.
Upper Dolpo is land or rich culture and religion tradition which has remain intact, but there is growing concern among the local inhabitants to continue to maintain its preservation and promotion because of increasing outside influences. To envision such promotion, Dolpo Society organizes yearly religious ceremonies with large people’s participation at various places to highlight Dolpo culture. First such ceremony was held at Shey Sumdho Gonpa (Popularly known as Shey Festival) in 2000 which was participated by huge numbers of locals and westerners alike, in 2001 at Karang village, in 2002-2003 at Saldang village and in 2004-2006 in Kathmandu.