Call to develop Lumbini as per Master plan

RSS

KAPILBASTU: Locals and stakeholders have stressed on the need to move ahead with works as per the Greater Lumbini Master Plan to develop the 1,155 hectares of land as the protected area of Lumbini.

Japanese Professor Kenjo Tange had made a Master plan on Lumbini development 33 years ago for the development of the sacred land, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

The area is divided into three parts under the Master plan, which are - Bihar area, sacred garden area and the New Lumbini Village concept. It was listed in World Heritage List in 1997 by UNESCO.

Archaeologist Prakash Darnal says studies on the archeology of the area began in 1895 as Indian archeologist PC Mukherjee had in 1899 said the place lies there.

Locals complain that the budget allocated for the area is not sufficient. It is state’s responsibility to protect and promote Lumbini as a glorious history of the country.

Government had first taken initiative for its development by constituting a Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) in 2042 BS and gets Rs 119 million each year. It has 40 million rupees as internal income.

LDT Vice Chairman Karmasangbo Sherpa says it needs Rs 6 billion to complete the Master plan moved ahead by Tange.

Local entrepreneur Narendra Kumar Mishra says the Buddhist Bihar are developed as hotels and urged the LDT to give continuity to it.

According to LTD administration chief Khagendra Kafle informs that daily 2,300 foreign tourists come to visit Lumbini, of them, Sri Lankans are the largest in number.

Tourism entrepreneur Sanjaya Bajimaya also points out that government should take initiative for developing the area and attracting more tourists.