Landslide threat to 400-year-old Tawang

GUWAHATI: Massive landslides in the Tibetan Buddhist-dominated Tawang area and West Kameng areas of Arunachal Pradesh has triggered a scare that the 400-year-old monastery that's perched on a hilltop could be threatened.

Since the landslides, monks who live in the vicinity of one of Asia's largest and most venerated monasteries have been praying and lighting butter lamps to seek divine protection of the shrine. Monks have also erected a stupa on the landslide area to placate nature gods. Guru Tulku Rinpoche, abbot of Twang monastery, said the Dalai Lama has suggested pujas and a massive plantation drive around the monastery.

What has worried the region is that landslides, usually seen during the monsoon season, has occurred in winter, which is traditionally a dry season. T G Rinpoche, a spiritual leader and legislator in Arunachal Pradesh, said the state and central government had already started work on preventing more landslides in the area. ''Along with our prayers, steps being taken by the state and central government will definitely help in stopping any further landslides,'' he added.

CM Dorjee Khandu visited the area soon after the major landslide at Tawang in November. Khandu has instructed the district administration and the public works department to deploy men and machines to contain the damage and erosion. A Geological Survey of India team is scheduled to visit the area. The monastery, also known as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-1681 on the wishes of the fifth Dalai Lama. It stands on the spur of a hill, about 10,000 feet above sea level and has ravines in the south and west, a narrow ridge on the north and gradual slope on the east. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism and has a religious association with Drepung Monastery in Lhasa. The monastery has the capacity for housing about 700 monks and is currently home to more than 450 lamas.

Ever since 42-year-old Tsering Dhandup came to know about landslide close to Tawang monastery, he has been restive. Dhandup, who lives in a remote village in West Kameng district of the state, hasn't been able to concentrate on his work and is having nightmares.