In the future, the tailor hopes to help some of her relocated fellow villagers who are experiencing economic difficulties.

 

Every family relocated from Dram was provided with a house of an appropriate size and each evacuee receives 25 yuan per day. Anyone over the age of 18 received an additional 1,500 yuan in subsidies last year, which has been raised to 2,500 yuan this year.

 

Dobla, Party chief of Dram township, said the government has not yet made a decision on when the evacuees will be able to return home.

 

"Before relocating to Xigaze, many residents were involved in the border trade because of the Dram Port and, thanks to preferential policies, these traders enjoyed a tax exemption of up to 6,000 yuan per day, but they no longer have that," said the 45-year-old.

 

"However, the community enjoys a number of public services including a kindergarten, a hospital, a post office, a bank, shops, restaurants, and government offices. A primary school and middle schools are also not far from where they live."

 

Dobla said more than 200 of the evacuees are now involved in various businesses in Xigaze, including restaurants, shops and outlets in the Dram Shopping Mall selling Nepalese, Indian, and foreign products.

 

All the evacuee families have been provided with new houses, equipped with bedding, carpets, tables, kitchenware, and TVs by the government.

 

"All religious rituals are preserved and practiced in the settlement community. A big hall has been built for them to practice rituals and perform other activities, such as weddings and memorial services," Dobla added.