BUTWAL: Four decades have passed by since the launch of the campaign for systematic development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, but the campaign has not completed its mission yet.

Although around 75 per cent development works have been completed as per the master plan in the span of four decades after formulation of the plan, it has not made satisfactory stride.

The then Secretary General of the United Nations, U Thant, on April 23, 1969, had prepared a concept for developing Lumbini as per international standard by formulating a master plan. He gave responsibility to the renowned Japanese architecture expert Prof Kenzo Tange to prepare the master plan for the same.

The master plan had set a goal to protect and promote Lumbini as a religious site of international standard by protecting the places of historical, cultural, archaeological and religious importance as well as depicting the traditions of national and international Buddhism in Lumbini.

Similarly, the objective of the master plan was to develop Lumbini as the centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists across the globe and an attractive destination for all Buddhists.

Some of the physical infrastructures of the project have already been constructed while some are under construction. The government has considered the project as a national pride project.

Garden area, the most important part of Lumbini, is located towards south of the area. Mayadevi Temple, Ashoka Pillar and remains of ancient Buddha monastery are located in the garden area. The heritage is enlisted in the World Cultural Heritage Sites of UNESCO since 1997. Initial phase of construction of four ponds, some 41 gardens has been completed.

Construction works of safety wall around the area covered by the Lumbini master plan has also been completed. Boating service has come into operation as a facility to pilgrims and tourists who visit the birthplace of Buddha from the northern side.

Likewise, administrative building and tourism information centre designed by Prof Tange have been constructed and brought into operation.

Seven monasteries of different countries including Nepal have already been constructed at the area towards south east. Similarly, monasteries of 12 neighbouring countries on the area of 29 plots towards the west are under construction.

Two Japanese hotels and Sri Lankan pilgrimage shelter have been constructed towards north side of New Lumbini Village and they are now in operation. On the other hand, administrative building of Lumbini Development Trust, Pilgrim Information Centre, museum, library, meeting hall, cafe, restaurant, gift shop, and bank are under construction as per the master plan.

The Trust has also taken forward the development of historical places including Tilaurakot of Kapilvastu, alongside the development of Lumbini, which falls in Rupandehi district. According to the Trust, initiative has been taken to bring historical facts into light by carrying out archaeological excavations at ancient Kapilvastu Palace and Tilaurakot.

However, construction task of multi-purpose information centre at Devdaha, Bhawanipur has reached its final phase. An agreement has already been signed for the construction of a round path around Ramgram Stupa of Nawalparasi district.

Out of other important physical infrastructures to be constructed as per the master plan, construction of water tank, laying drinking water pipeline, auditorium hall, six additional dome-shaped buildings, roads, sewerage management, construction of pond are underway and going to be completed soon.

Acting member secretary and project chief, Saroj Bhattarai said that a goal has been set to complete the remaining works within two years. Around Rs 6 billion is estimated to be spent to complete the remaining works.

Siddharthanagar Municipality in Rupandehi is the main point of entry to Lumbini. So it has an interest and concern in the development of Lumbini. Chairperson of Siddharthanagar chamber of commerce and industry, Kul Prasad Neupane, said the development of Lumbini is taking place at a 'snail's pace'.

He said that remarkable progress would be made in the development task of the area if a powerful body comprising development experts is formed and responsibility is given to them for the same.

Neupane further stated that lack of smooth management, lack of capacity to spend budget, some minor dispute in the Trust are some of the reasons behind delay in completion of development activities as per the master plan.

Similarly, Culture Expert Gitu Giri, who carried out a deep study of Lumbini, said, although there is satisfactory progress in the development task of Lumbini in recent period, construction of some infrastructures against the master plan under the influence of personal greed was wrong.

It is necessary to make budget arrangement by determining the deadline to complete the construction works as the government of Nepal has set a target to complete the development works of Lumbini.

Likewise, it is also necessary to complete the construction work of Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport as soon as possible as this would contribute to remarkably increase the number of pilgrims and tourists visiting Lumbini.