NAWALPARASI: The government of Province 5 has launched the 'Visit Lumbini Year 2076' campaign today marking the 2,563rd birth anniversary of Buddha. However, many sites related to Buddha in west Nawalparasi remain neglected.

Ramgram, Sunawal, Bardaghat Municipalities and Sarawal Rural Municipality are home to many important sites and artefacts related to the life of Gautam Buddha.

No major events are planned here for today. Relics of Gautam Buddha in the Ramgram Stupa in Ujaini in ward no. 7 of Ramgram Municipality, Panditpur in Banjariya of ward no. 18 of the same municipality, a Buddha-era pond in Targauli of ward no. 7 of Sunawal Municipality, and a tree believed to be in existence since Buddha's time in Jawa of Sarawal Rural Municipality-2 are some significant sites that are not seeing any extravagant or high-profile events today.

The State government should have given special importance to both Ramgram and Panditpur and organised official events, said Chair of the Ramgram Stupa Preservation Committee, Shambhu Upadhyaya.

Such events would have helped not only in the conservation of these archaeological and historical sites but also promote them as destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists.