Importance of Lumbini in Tourism Development in Nepal:

Sri Lanka Ambassador

Posted by Ram Kumar Shrestha on July 1, 2010
Telegraph Nepal
H. E. Thosapala Hewage, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Nepal
Tourism is a complex social, cultural, religious and economical development and one of the most

significant
Thenomena and the worlds largest industry. In the 21st century,
people are increasingly mobile. It is said that one cant understand the world today without
understanding Tourism. There are many definitions to Tourism. For the purpose of this article,
Tourism is the temporary, short-term movement of people to destination outside the places
where they normally live and work and their activities during the stay at each destination. It
includes movement for all the purposes. (Tourism Society of England 1976). Tourism is a very
important sources for foreign exchange earning. It is an un-risky procedure for transfer of real
resources from industrially capital surplus countries to developing countries. There are different
types of Tourism. Among them, Leisure tourism, Sustainable tourism, Cultural and Religious
tourism, Eco Tourism, Heritage tourism, Medical tourism. Wildlife tourism, War tourism and
Disaster tourism are very common. In 2008 globally there were over 922 million international
Tourist arrivals with a growth of about 2% compared to 2007. In 2009, international tourist
arrival fell to 880 million representing a worldwide decline of about 4% as compared to 2008
mainly due to economic recession affecting all developing countries. International Tourism
income grew to US $ 944 billion in 2008, corresponding to an increase in terms of 1.8% on
2007. There has been an up market trend in the tourism over the last few decades, especially in
Europe where international travel for short breaks is common. Tourists have high level of
disposable income, considerable leisure time are well educated and have sophisticated tastes.
WHO estimates that up to 500,000 people are on planes at any given time. Tourism is a labour
intensive industry offering employment to skilled, semi skilled, and unskilled manpower. It
employees large number of people and provides a wide range of jobs. According to James
Robinson, ex-president of the World Travel and Tourism Organization Tourism industry accounts
for 9% of global GDP and employs 235 million people. Present Status of Tourism in Nepal
Tourism plays an important role in Nepalese economy, particularly in terms of foreign exchange
earnings and employment creation. Nepal opened to the rest of the world only during the early
fifties. Early days tourism was mainly concentrated in the Kathmandu valley and only a few
mountaineers visited the Everest and Annapurna regions that are attracted even today. With the
increase in tourist numbers, Nepal developed the necessary infrastructure such as international
airport in Kathmandu, a full pledged hotel sector, construction of domestic air strips, tourism
related public and private institutions and travel and trekking agencies etc.

The tourism industry in 1998 accounted for an average of 46.6% of total exports 23% of total
foreign exchange earnings (US $ 161 million) and 3% of GDP. Total number of tourist arrival in
1998 was 463,684. In 2009, total number of visitor arrivals was 509,752. Of the total arrival of
tourists in 1999 around three fifth came for holiday or pleasure and a little more than one fifth
came for trekking and mountaineering. Rest came for business, pilgrimage and for official
purposes. Total earnings in 2008 was US $ 351,968,000/-. The average income per visitor per
day is around US $ 73 (Nepal Tourism Board). There are about 24 online airlines in operation in
Nepal. Hotel and restaurant sector employed about 114,000 people in 1998. Although data are
lacking, it is known that other sectors have both direct and indirect employment related to
tourism.
The tourism development has, so far, been concentrated in a few major locations of central and
eastern areas, and confined to a few major products. While cultural tourism is confined to
Kathmandu and Pokhara, trekking is popular in the Khumbu, Langtang and Annappura regions,
and Chitwan is to focus for wildlife and eco-tourism.
Cultural and Religious tourism also play an important role in Nepal. Even then it is difficult to
say that the Nepali Government had given due recognition to cultural tourism as in the case of
leisure and nature based tourism. Some of the world heritage sites are not properly conserved and
preserved. In Lumbini tourists use to come and spend only a few hours and get back to India
where basic facilities are available and cultural religious tourism is promoted aggressively.
Nepal is exceptionally rich in terms of archaeological monuments, historical places, unique
cultural diversity as well as natural beauty. Hence the tourism in Nepal has enormous potential
but it has not yet been exploited fully. Although tourism has emerged as one of the fastest
growing industries in Nepal it has not been promoted nationally and internationally as required.
This can be done collectively by the countries in the region under the umbrella of SAARC.
Prospects for Tourism Development in Nepal Nepal has a wide range of places of importance
where tourists are attracted. Tourists are drawn to Nepal by its unparalleled natural beauty, the
challenges of its mountain climbing, its rich wildlife and biodiversity and unique religious and
cultural heritage. Tourism in Nepal varies from less adventurous pleasurable activities such as
village visits, home stays and walking and hiking circuits for non trekkers to the adventurous and
challenging trekking mountaineering and white water rafting. There is a need to develop the
combination of spectacular and diverse tourism resources and a largely rural based population
and deliver benefit of development to the remote rural areas. Community based tourism can
generate a sense of pride in the local population and make funds available for maintaining or
upgrading cultural assets such as archaeological ruins, historic sites, traditional crafts production
( UNEP 2001). Although tourism in Nepal grew and actually flourished after the first discovery
of Mt. Everest in 1953, it is characterized by the presence of fairly large proportion of tourists
who remain in the urban areas.
In view of the above, one can suggest that Nepal can benefit from different types of Tourism
such as Eco-tourism, Religious and cultural Tourism, leisure tourism and even dark tourism if
available potentials are fully exploited. Pokhara to a certain extend can be sited as an example of
regional growth due to tourism development. But this can be further improved with better
infrastructure facilities such as roads, electricity, water, communication etc. Eco-tourism can
also offer opportunities for generating local revenues through informal employments such as tour

guides, vendors, involvement of local cultural festivals, local souvenirs production etc. However
there is need to preserve the cultural identity of the local community. It is necessary to promote
small scale tourism that is developed and owned by local people. Very small group or individual
tourists travel to relatively remote undisturbed natural areas with the objective of admiring,
studying and enjoying scenery and biodiversity and cultural attributes. Nepal is a country of
ancient culture. Cultural tourism has been conceptualized by UNESCO during the seventies and
it was regarded as force for cultural preservation. Cultural tourism also defined as the
absorption by tourists of features resembling the nourishing lifestyles of past societies observed
through such phenomena as house styles, crafts, farming equipment, dress, utensils and other
instruments and equipment that reflects the lifestyle of any particular community during a
particular time. (Smith 1977) Further, Zina identified handicrafts, language, traditions, art and
music, paintings and sculpture, history work and technology, architecture, religion, educational
system, dress and leisure activities as elements of cultural tourism. There is enormous potential
for development of the cultural and religious tourism in Nepal. Places such as Maipokhari
(related to Shiva and Parvati), Pathibhara (Temple of Pathibhara Devi), Dhanush & Dham (Birth
place of Sita) Tansan (religious festivals such as Baishakh Purnima, Gai Jatra, Tichar are
performed) Shaileshwori (Shaileshwori Temple), Ramaroshan (Pancha city of Goddess Parvati)
Surma (Surma Devi Temple) Bikram Baba (There is an old tree worshiped by Hindus) are very
important cultural and religious places that can be promoted for Tourism development. Among
other things that the Tourism authorities should do is to give sufficient publicity internationally
and nationally to promote Tourism development. The government in coordination with Nepalese
travel trade sector and concerned organizations/Experts has decided to observe the year 2011 as a
national Tourism campaign. During Tourism year Nepal expects to achieve one million
international arrivals, additional investment on Tourism infrastructure by 50% and also promote
eco friendly domestic tourism. Nepal Tourism Board has identified the importance of Nepal from
Worlds view.

Nepal among 50 places to see before one dies BBC

Everest base camp listed in the 20 Journeys of a lifetime UKs observer

Climbing Mt. Everest among BBCs 50 things to do before you die

Annapurna trail of Nepal declared one of the 12 best walks in the world USA Travel
Magzine

iExplore voted Annapurna circuit as No. 01 in iExplores hiking and trekking trips 2003

Second position in the most prepared country category out of 180 countries UK

Best Eco Tourism Destination in the world by Tourism Market Trends : World overview

As former Secretary General, HE Mr. Nihal Rodrigo said special texture of the SAARC Region
is its diversity which ranges from Nepals soaring snow-caped peaks to Bhutans richly decorated
Buddhist monasteries, the bush grass forests and the mighty rivers of Bangladesh to the teeming

cities of India. Sri Lankas temples and ancient arts to the turquoise sea and brilliant white
beaches of the Maldives. This diversity need to be exploited to the maximum benefit of the
country. Importance of Lumbini Lumbini where Gautama Buddha was born in 623 B C is one
of the most sacred places of all Buddhists. World wide attention is focused on Lumbini not only
because pilgrims and tourists visit from all over the world but also for all mankind Lumbini has a
special meaning as a place of meditation and spiritual renewal, a centre of cultural exchange and
a symbol of peace. This is one of the most important reasons behind the high acclamation of
Nepal and is a treasured heritage for the country. Lumbini is also famous for the highly civilized
inhabitants and the natural prosperity of the place. It is said that the place holds the devotional
Buddha feelings of the air even. Mahaparnirvana Sutta Buddha said about Lumbini as
Ananda, Lumbini where the Thathagatha was born, is a place which should be visited and seen
by a person of devotion and which would cause awareness and apprehension of the nature of
impermanence. At this place, Ananda, who use on a pilgrimage to this shrine, if they should die
with devotion in their hearts during the courage of the pilgrimage, will after their death and
dissolution of the body be reborn in a good destination, a fortunate celestial realm. Today
devotees and visitors from all over the world come to Lumbini the timeless place where ancient
monuments glorify the birth place of Buddha and bear witness to the record of the noteworthy
visits by famous dignitaries. They deeply immerse themselves in the calm spiritual atmosphere
of Lumbini. Emperor Asoka along with a team of pilgrims made a pilgrimage to Lumbini in 249
B.C. This could be the first recorded religious tourism in the world. He erected a stone pillar
bearing an inscription stating clearly hida Buddha jate Sakyamuniti (here Sakyamuni Buddha
was born). He also laid importance to the marker stone and constructed few other structures to
make the exact birth place of the Buddha. The restored garden and surroundings of Lumbini
have the remains of many of the stupas and monasteries. The next pilgrims according to the
recorded history were the three famous Chinese travelers; Tseng Tsai (4th century AD) Fa-Hsien
(5th century DAD) and Hiuen Tsang (7th century AD) who visited Lumbini. They reported
having seen the Asoka Pillar with horse carved on the top of it. For decades the sacred place
remained, neglected due to various reasons. However, after the visit of various dignitaries such
as King Mahendra, UN Secretary General U. Thant again it became a place of such importance.
U. Thant wanted Nepal Government to develop Lumbini as an international pilgrimage and
tourist centre in 1970. Master Plan was prepared for the development of Lumbini and the
Lumbini Development Trust was established to implement it. In 1997 Lumbini was declared as a
World Heritage Site. The rich cultural heritage of Lumbini is attracted by religious tourists
because of its sacred garden which spread over 8 sq. km. covering the entire valuable riches of
this area. The Maya Devi Temple is the heart of all monuments at the sacred site. Other
important places are the marker stone, the Nativity sculpture, the Pushkarani Pond, remains of
various viharas and stupas , artifacts and the Asoka Pillar. Another attraction is the Sarus crane
sanctuary where hundreds of cranes, hundred of Blue bulls, 27 species of animals, 207 species of
birds, 44 types of fishes and heard of Nilgai animals are protected. This sanctuary along with
greenery can definitely be of interest for nature lovers. This will add a natural attraction on the
cultural destination. Nepalese and international monasteries representing different architecture
and culture of Buddhist and Buddhist organizations are other attractions of Lumbini. Some of
the important sites round Lumbini which are important in terms of Religious and Cultural value
are Tilaurakot (capital of Sakya kingdom), Niglihawa (Kanakamuni Buddha was born and
attained enlightenment), Arorakot (natal town of Kanakamuni Buddha), Sagarhawa (Sakya were
massacred), Gotihawa (Kakusanda Buddha was born and attained Nirvana), Devdaha (capital of

Koliya kingdom) and Ramagrama (out of the eight astha dhatu was deposited and built a stupa
by King Ramagrama. Lumbini is not only a sacred complex for Buddhists but also for Hindu as
well as other religious people due to the peace land. The Government of Nepal is making
arrangements to develop Lumbini as the land of Peace. It is very important as the teaching of
Lord Buddha is meant for peace and harmony. Peace pagoda, peace bell, eternal peace light
were constructed by the Japanese to symbolize Lumbni a Peace city. Various conferences,
seminars are conducted in Lumbini on peace. The Cultural Centre of Lumbini is dedicated for
World Peace. Purpose of visit or the motivation for travel is the main driving force that makes
tourists move away from their home to a destination where they can get what they want. 60% of
the tourists were interested in Buddha and Buddhism thats why they moved to get their feet over
the land where the Buddha was born i.e. pilgrims. Out of the 66 countries visiting Lumbini, Sri
Lanka and Thailand have been at the top two countries, both representing Buddhism as religion
of the majority. Number of tourists arrivals in Lumbini although decline in some years overall
there is an upward trend. Tourist arrival in Lumbini according to various sources is as follows:
1964 -

1023

2004 -

47813

2000 -

46174

2005 -

51655

2001 -

35936

2006 -

62680

2002 -

26438

2007 -

71053

2003 -

39869

(Source: Tourist Information Centre)

To promote and enhance cultural Tourism a unique cultural organization named Lumbini
Cultural Buddha Bihara Greet Sadak Natak has been formed to promote and conserve of local
dance, singing, drama, painting, weaving, food, drinks, dress and ornaments of Lumbini area.
(Giri, 2007). This organization attracted Tourists as they could get a glimpse of cultural values of
Lumbini area. Promotion of Tourism in Lumbini Although Lumbini is the Buddhas birth place
and declared as a world heritage site and many pilgrims visit the place, it has not been developed
to attract more tourists especially to stay in Lumbini and spend several days. Despite the
presence of posh hotels in New Lumbini Village and transportation, both air and road facilities in
Lumbini are yet to be an attractive tourist destination for many reasons. Main reason for this is
the basic infrastructure facilities such as road, communication, water, electricity, hotels,
restaurants, and trained guides are not available to meet the need. Even the concerned
government authorities seem to have paid less attention to develop Lumbini as a major tourist
and pilgrimage site. Todays Lumbini is a small sleepy town in the South-Western Tarai plains
where the ruins of the old city can still be seen. Excavation commenced by the Archaeological
Department of Nepal has stopped halfway due to various reasons. These need to be carried out
systematically and valuable archeological sites have to be preserved. The development of
Lumbini and its surrounding area has been formulated in the Master Plan prepared by Prof.
Kenzo Tange. The Master Plan is still the basis for all the development works being carried
within the Master Plan area of 1 mile by 3 miles. Lumbini Development Trust was established in

1985 to implement the Lumbini Development Plan. The Master Plan that should have been fully
implemented by 1995 is being implemented at a snails pace due mainly to lack of needed
resources (Bhisnu Gautam 2007). Hari Kumari Rai of Lumbini development Trust had once said
if we implement the plan at the current pace, it wont be materialized even in a period of 200
years. However, once the Master Plan gets fully implemented, Lumbini will surely be an
attraction for the tourists worldwide. Authorities such as Tourism Development Authority
Nepal should work hard to promote and publicize Lumbini and other sites of the area as major
tourists and pilgrimage sites. Similarly efforts should be made to implement the Lumbini Master
Plan as soon as possible so as to give a new look to the area and promote it as a number one
tourist and pilgrimage site of Nepal. According to Bhishuni Gautam proper package programmes
are needed for the development of Tourism in Lumbini. When the flow of tourists in Lumbini is
not satisfactory Tourists rarely reach Kapilawastu, the site where the Palace of Suddhodana was
located and other Buddhists sites of the area. Therefore, package programme could be a good
tool to promote tourism in the area. At present Bhairahawa is the only domestic airport available
to visit Lumbini. Its facilities are minimal. From Bhairahawa to Lumbini there are about 19 km
to go by road transport. The road is not satisfactory and that need to be improved to make travel
comfortable for tourists. Construction of Lumbini International Airport would be an added
attraction to tourists. So that foreign tourists can fly direct to Lumbini and spend few days there.
Many of the tourists who arrive in Kathmandu do not include Lumbini in their destination
programme. Also local tourism entrepreneurs and hoteliers of Lumbini & Bhairahawa have
failed to take advantages from the tourists visiting Lumbini. Instead the entrepreneurs of
bordering Indian cities like Sunauli have been benefited from them. The tourists stay in the
Indian Hotels of Sunauli and Gorakhpur and the guides ferry them here (Lumbini) in reserved
buses in the day time. Such tourists who arrive here via India do not spend even a single night in
Lumbini or Bhairahawa (P. Neupane). This is due to non availability of required facilities for
mass scale tourism and no encouragement by way of promotion of tourism in Lumbini. Lumbini
University, Lumbini International Research Institute, Lumbini Museum etc. are additional
attractions in Lumbini where tourists like to visit. Recently the government appointed a new
Vice Chancellor for the Lumbini University and he is very keen to develop the University. It is
encouraging to note that the leaders of Nepal; the King, Prime Ministers, Ministers, VIPP have
made promises regarding making Lumbini a great tourism spot with its development and pushing
for completion and implementation of its Master Plan. Recently on the occasion of 2554th birth
anniversary of Lord Buddha the Speaker of the Interim Government Hon. Subash Chandra
Nembang said it is the historic place for world peace, we have not been able to do justice to this
great place but from now onwards we will do what can be done to make this a place to grab the
worlds attention. However, it is believed by many that all these promises and commitments in
the past were limited to their speeches only. In addition to the areas that we have discussed
above Dr. Gitu Giri has identified following for the promotion of healthy tourism in Lumbini and
its peripheral areas. Attraction Improvement Tourists should be informed all of the sites, viz.
monasteries, meditation centers, museum, New Lumbini village etc., who visit properly at
Mayadevi temple. A Lumbini festival should be organized on the occasion of Buddha Jayanthi
in each year. Art reflects the accurate authentic evidences of the past life ways of the people.
Museum plays a vital role to conduct exhibition, conservation and preservation of the art
remains. In this situation, concerned architectural fragments, sculptures, paintings, photography,
replicas of Buddha etc. should be collected and properly displayed in Lumbini Museum in the
promotion of cultural tourism. Trained Tourist Guides Tourist-guides should be capable to

interpret native languages of the guests, especially Thailand, South Korea, Japanese, Chinese and
Cambodian languages. Such training should be conducted at local level and local people should
be participated at these programmes.
Preservation of Aboriginal Culture
Local cultural activates like Biraha, music and dance should be organized. Tharu culture and life
style among others should be preserved of Lumbini area. Hotel and local community groups
should be aware for their cultural activities.
Awareness Program
Awakening programs should be carried out organizing meeting, seminars, workshop and
symposium to make conscious of their sacred monuments, sacred rituals, sacred functionaries,
religious processions and festivals. Local people should be motivated that these are the potential
source for the growth of tourism in the region.
Training Programme
Governmental and non-governmental organizations should also organize tourist awareness
training programmes in the neighbours villages of Lumbini complex including and extending
the programs to other places too. The youth of the locality should be trained to conduct tourist
activities in future.
Hospital facility
Thousands of local people as well as pilgrims come here for the purpose of tourism and daily
activities. There is need a hospital with good doctors to provide health facilities to the local
people and foreign delegates. The health service of International Buddhist society, Cross Flow
and R K Project is not sufficient to cater to the need of the vast number of pilgrims.
Drinking water
Drinking water is directly provided from the boring-system. It is not purified with the use of
proper chemicals and hence arsenic problem prevails. Purified water should be supplied using
reservoir system after chemical treatment.
Toilet (Sanitation) facilities
Toilet facility should be provided near the temple, monastery and vihara to the visitors without
charge. Otherwise open toilet-tradition will create great problem of pollution.
Art & Craft Products

The tradition of local art and crafts should be encouraged, i.e. basket and mat weaving, moulding
the images of Buddha and local products should be supplied for sale in the market. It will
encourage involving at the tourist activities to the local people.
Tourism Information centre
A tourism information centre, especially for the motivation to Lumbini, should be operated at
Butwal, Bhairahawa Lumbini-road (Buddha-choka), Kathmandu, Narayangadha and other
proper sites in Nepal and foreign countries.
Tourist materials
Having been so popular Buddhist pilgrimage site cheap and reliable informative tourist
materials, viz. pamphlets, booklets, cassette, maps, VCD, tape recorder and photographs are not
available in proper sites. These materials should be made available to the tourists having interest
in knowing in details about Lumbini.
Transportation
Qualitative rickshaws and bicycles should be provided as preferred means of visiting sites at
reasonable rate at this complex. Gautam Buddha Airport of Siddharthanagar should be upgraded
in International Airport to increase the flow of tourists in Lumbini.
Environment Creation
The authority should be careful for stopping the begging monks and beggars, controlling noise,
cleaning the garbage and litters. Industries should not be established about 10 km east, north,
south and west from the sacred complex of Lumbini. About 3 km on right and left side of
Siddharthanagar to Taulihawa road should be strictly prohibited to establish polluted factories. It
should be developed as a Peace Land of the world.
Co-ordination of concerned agencies
Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), District Development Committee (DDC), Village
Development Committees (VDC) and other such agencies have carried out integrated programs
for the development of Lumbini and its out skirts for long times. Their action plan and programs
are duplication lack of proper co-ordination among them. As a whole co-ordination committee
should be constituted among the governmental and non-governmental organizations not only for
tourism but also social changes of Lumbini area.
Proper Advertisement and Management
Various requirements should be available to increase the number of tourists as well as to increase
their length of stay. National and international mass media, viz. TV, VCD, Radio, Internet and email facilities should be used to advertise of this Sacred Complex. Local groups and
communities should be aware to mobilize local resources to promote all the pre-requisites for

attraction of area in the international markets, LDT, local VDCs, DDC and STDC must be active
to use natural and cultural heritages of Lumbini complex.
Promotion of other Religious Places
Mushrooming of New luxury hotels, other facilities and upgrading Bhairahawa Airport to an
International Airport shows a positive sign that Buddhist Tourism is strong in Nepal.
Hence it is necessary to plan out to promote other areas rich in religious tourism in Nepal. In
Kathmandu following Buddhist Tourism sites are very important and most of the tourists coming
to Lumbini are not aware and hence do not visit such sites.
There are many important and historic Buddhist and Hindu sacred sites in Nepal other than those
sites found in Lumbini. Some of them are Swayambunath Stupa, Bauddhanath Maha
Chaitya, Anandakuti Vihar, Pasupathinath, Ashokan Stupa in Patan, and Sanakrit Vihar,
Muni Vihar, Prasanshil Mahavihar Namabuddha in Bakthapur and Muktinath in Jomsom and
some more Buddhist temples in Pokhara. They show the various Buddhist sects present in Nepal
reflecting the rich history it owns.
Technically, Buddhist tourism is defined as the phenomenon in which the cultural, historical and
ethnic components of a society or place are harnessed as resources to attract tourists, as well as
develop a leisure and tourism industry. It is also argued that cultural modification contributes to
the detraction of social customs, the alienation of residents and the creation of homogeneity
between places. Sometimes many planners and developers warn that the economic attraction of
tourism and the need to cater to tourists are key reasons for the mythic reconstruction of places
and the falsification of histories and identities.
It has been widely accepted that when a cultural event is co-opted as a destination area by
tourism, it becomes a consumer product. A number of important points must be raised to throw
light on the wider context of the co modification process. First, communal assertions of identity,
increasing local appreciation of heritage and civic awareness have contributed to a new urban
renaissance. Changes in urban cultural landscapes are best understood as the outcome of
multiple factors that interact with one another. It would be an oversight to consider local cultures
as passive and proclaim that tourism is the most important agent of social change.
Second, heritage should not be considered as a relic, but as a dynamic and multi-purpose
resource or a form of capital that has been moulded and transformed for diverse audiences. The
modification process has helped to balance between visitors and the local community by
fulfilling the needs of residents that could have been either marginalized or totally neglected. It
has become possible for the heritage entrepreneur to serve multiple goals at the same time
without alienating any particular group of people.
Buddhist tourism products are geared towards global audiences as well as home communities. It
is imperative to explore the heritage development process as traversing (or attempting to
traverse) the tourist-local divide. Buddhist tourism development takes varied forms in different

places depending on the success of the planning authority or entrepreneur in bridging the touristlocal gap.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The potential for development of Buddhist tourism in Lumbini is enormous. Presently no
constructive plan has been developed or aggressive campaign has been carried out to explore the
available potential. The Government of Nepal needs to get the help of UNESCO and seek
required resources to develop Lumbini as an attractive tourist destination.
The Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) has to play a pro-active role in promoting tourism in
Lumbini as it is the legally constituted body that has the powers to do so. LDT should make all
the necessary arrangements to implement the Lumbini Master Plan with the help of UNESCO
and Donor agencies.
The International Committee for the development of Lumbini initiated after the visit of UN
Secretary General U Thant in 1970, needs to be reactivated in order to accelerate the
development process. Basic infrastructure facilities such as roads, electricity, water supply,
communication, hotels and restaurants, trained guides have to be provided. It is also important to
upgrade the existing Bhairahawa air port and improve connectivity with Lumbini.
Religious important places around Lumbini such as Kapilawastu, Devdaha, Ramagrama also
need to be promoted among tourists so that they pro-long their pilgrimage by one two days in
Lumbini. Similarly other important places in Pokhara and Kathmandu also need to be included in
the tour programmes. This can be done while keeping Lumbini as the centre of operation.
Aggressive publicity and promotion programmes have to be carried out by respective agencies
within the country and overseas. Publicity materials need to be prepared in an manner and
distribute among countries where tourists arrive most.
Tour packages to be developed taking Lumbini as the centre of excellence in religious tourism.
Packages can include trekking, mountaineering, eco-tourism etc. Priority needs to be given to
upmarket tourism.
[1] Paper presented by Thosapala Hewage Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Nepal on 02nd June
2010 at the Seminar organized on the Occasion of 2554 Buddha Jayanthi by the Buddhist
Women Association Nepal .