Kêrri Township of Gonjo County in Chamdo
Keri Township (克日乡) is located in the northeastern part of Gonjo County (贡觉县), Chamdo Prefecture (昌都市), Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区), China. It is situated near the border of Sichuan Province, with Baiyu County (白玉县) across the river to the east, Mangkang County (芒康县) to the south, Zeba Township (则巴乡) to the west, and Boro Township (波罗乡) in Jiangda County (江达县) to the north. Keri Township covers an area of 324.84 square kilometers and has a registered population of 1,135 as of the end of 2019.
The government seat of Keri Township is located in Xixi Village (西西村), approximately 95 kilometers from the county seat.
History
-
1959: Keri Township was part of Luomai District (罗麦区).
-
1975: The township was reorganized, and a Commune Revolutionary Committee was established.
-
1981: The Commune Revolutionary Committee was replaced by the Keri Commune Management Committee.
-
1984: The separation of government and commune management took place, and Keri Township was formally established.
-
1988: Keri Township was officially recognized as a township.
As of June 2020, Keri Township governs 5 administrative villages.
Geography and Environment
Location
Keri Township is located in the northeastern part of Gonjo County. It borders Baiyu County and Batang County (巴塘县) in Sichuan Province to the east, Mangkang County (芒康县) to the south, Zeba Township (则巴乡) to the west, and Boro Township (波罗乡) to the north. The township lies at the confluence of three counties: Baiyu, Jiangda, and Gonjo.
Terrain
Keri Township is characterized by the Jinsha River (金沙江) flowing from the north to the south, forming a unique low-altitude, gorge-like terrain in the Hengduan Mountain Range. The area has a complex landscape with numerous strange rock formations, and the average elevation is 3,200 meters.
Climate
Keri Township has a continental plateau monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 15°C. The region receives around 650 millimeters of precipitation annually, with ample sunshine and a frost-free period of 270 days. The area enjoys approximately 2,101 hours of sunlight per year. The climate is characterized by five main features:
-
Low average temperatures with minimal annual temperature variation, long winters, and short springs.
-
Limited rainfall, with clear distinctions between dry and rainy seasons.
-
The soil temperature is lower than air temperature, leading to long periods of frozen ground.
-
Long, sunny days with strong radiation and large day-night temperature differences.
-
A distinct vertical climate, with frequent extreme weather events, such as frost, hail, and landslides.
Natural Disasters
Keri Township is prone to various natural disasters, including droughts, hailstorms, floods, frost, snow, earthquakes, landslides, mudflows, and sandstorms.
Natural Resources
Keri Township is rich in natural resources, including gold, silver, copper, and marble. The area also produces wild edible mushrooms like matsutake (松茸) and valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herbs like Dongchongxiacao (冬虫夏草, winter worm summer grass).
Population and Demographics
-
2011: The total registered population of Keri Township was 978.
-
2018: The registered population increased to 1,078.
-
2019: By the end of the year, the registered population reached 1,135.
Economy
Overview
In 2011, the net income of farmers and herders in Keri Township reached 2,990 RMB. By the end of 2019, the township had one comprehensive store or supermarket with an area of more than 50 square meters.
Agriculture
Keri Township is primarily focused on agriculture. In 2011, the township’s total agricultural output value reached 7.2 million RMB, with 1,858.2 acres of cultivated land. Barley (青稞) and wheat are the main crops grown, and the township produced 440 tons of crops that year.
Livestock
Keri Township is also involved in animal husbandry, with cattle and horses being the main livestock. By the end of 2011, the township had 3,289 livestock, including 3,006 cattle, 283 horses, and new-born calves and foals. The survival rate for livestock was high, with 95.9% of calves and 93.5% of foals surviving.
Keri Township also has an area of 18,100 hectares of forestland, with a timber volume of 1.827 million cubic meters. Fruit trees such as peaches, apples, pears, plums, and Chinese chestnuts are cultivated in the region.
Commerce
As of December 2018, Keri Township had one comprehensive store or supermarket with an area of more than 50 square meters. The township continued to support local businesses and has seen improvement in retail infrastructure.
Transportation
By the end of 2011, all five village committees in Keri Township had road access, ensuring better transportation and communication within the area.
Social Services
Education
By the end of 2011, Keri Township had one township primary school, one village primary school, and three teaching points. There were 90 students enrolled, including those from the Moza Village (莫扎村) teaching point. The school had a 100% enrollment rate for primary school children and a 100% enrollment rate for middle school students.
Healthcare
By the end of 2011, Keri Township had one health clinic, with 903 residents enrolled in the New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance. This program provides essential healthcare coverage for the local population.
Scenic Attractions
Keri Township is home to five Nyingma (宁玛派) monasteries, which are important cultural and religious sites:
-
Kahong Monastery (卡洪寺) in Keri Village (克日村),
-
Duoka Monastery (多卡寺) in Xixi Village (西西村),
-
Moza Monastery (莫扎寺) in Moza Village (莫扎村),
-
Niuka Monastery (牛卡寺) in Chonglu Village (冲录村),
-
Side Monastery (西德寺) in Demba Village (登巴村).
