Lumbini to charge entry fee for Nepali nationals

Bhairahawa, August 14

Lumbini Development Trust is all set to impose entry fee on domestic tourists visiting Lumbini starting August 17.

“We decided to collect entry fee even from Nepali nationals in a bid to add to the revenue for sustainable and planned development of Lumbini area,” said the trust’s Vice-chair Bhikshu Maitaya. However, entry will remain free for residents of Rupandehi, Nawalparasi and Kapilvastu districts. An adult Nepali national is supposed to pay Rs 20 while a student will be charged Rs 10 as entry fee.

The trust has also revised entry fee for visitors from SAARC member nations and other countries.

According to information officer Mukunda Gautam, an Indian national will have to pay Rs 40, while visitors from other SAARC member countries and Myanmar will have to pay Rs 200. Likewise, foreigners from other countries are supposed to pay Rs 500 as entry fee for the conservation of the historical Lumbini heritage. An addition fee of Rs 50 will be levied on Nepali and Indian nationals for use of camera, while a visitor from other countries will have to pay two dollars for the same.

Chief Account Officer Bhim Basnet said they had set the ticket fee and managed necessary resources. As per data with the trust, 74,000 Indians and 82,000 foreigners from other countries visited Lumbini during January to July this year.