LUMBINI: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel argued that the locals in Lumbini should take ownership in its overall development.

Addressing an interaction programme organised in Lumbini on Friday ahead of an International Buddhism Conference, Minister Pokharel said that Lumbini should be promoted as the birth place of Lord Buddha and the cradle of Buddhist philosophy.

The conference is going to be organised in Kathmandu and Lumbini simultaneously from May 19 to 21 on the occasion of 2560th Buddha Jayanti, the birth day of Lord Buddha.

Furthermore, Minister Pokharel pledged that a Greater Lumbini would soon be developed connecting Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Ramgram and Devdaha.

On the occasion, locals also spoke of the need to involve them proactively in the future events to promote their locality.