Atsok Monastery in Tibet is facing forced relocation to make room for the Yangchu Hydropower Station on the Machu River, Tibet Watch reports. The monastery, a site of cultural and religious significance, has had its cultural relic protection status revoked, citing modern architectural reasons. This decision follows governmental pressures and disagreements with local Tibetans and monks about the monastery’s future.
The plan, announced during a governmental meeting at Atsok Monastery, mandates the displacement of the monastery to a new location about three to four kilometers away near Palkha Township. This move is part of a broader strategy to proceed with the hydropower project, which had a looming two-year deadline to begin construction or face cancellation.
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Simultaneously, approximately 60 households in the nearby area of Dungkar Thang are being relocated to accommodate the construction of the hydroelectric station. These households, primarily farmers, are being moved to various parts of Chabcha City, Drakkar County, and Palkha Township.
This situation mirrors events in Dege County, where local authorities have also pushed for the relocation of villages and Buddhist monasteries to facilitate dam construction on the Drichu (Yangtze) River. In February, efforts by locals in Dege to halt the dam project led to mass arrests and a severe police response.
Tibet Watch highlights the ongoing challenges and the displacement faced by the local Tibetan communities due to government-led infrastructure projects. The report from Tibet Watch provides crucial insight into the struggles of these communities as they contend with the loss of their cultural heritage and traditional lands.
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