Int’l expert group deliberates on Lumbini’s development

Discussions have been held in the International Experts Committee on sustainable conservation of the historic and cultural heritage of the greater Lumbini area, its development and tourism promotion.

The Committee came up with 42-point suggestions after holding discussions for three days in Lumbini. The international experts have underscored on the conservation and sustainable development of archaeological structures and linking the locals with tourism development.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Department of Archaeology, the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) and UNESCO have to implement the suggestions. LDT chief administrative officer Gyanin Rai said the international expert committee held intensive discussions on the archaeological structure inside the Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini.

Similarly, the international experts held discussions on the preservation and sustainable development of the archaeological heritages in Lumbini, Tilaurakot and the Greater Lumbini Area. The committee has suggested constructing the structure for the conservation of the heritages as per the spirit of the Lumbini Master plan prepared with the UN’s support by Japanese architect Kenjo Tange. It has also recommended linking the local population with tourism and to provide support for their livelihood.

The international expert committee has stressed on preparing an additional strategy for enlisting Tilaurakot in the World Heritage Sites list.

The international experts meeting is held every year under UNESCO (Japanese Funding Trust).UNESCO’s heritage expert Prof Roland Lynn, international expert Prof Dr Robin Cunningham, senior heritage expert Duncan Marshal, Prof Dr Ukio Nishimura, expert Dr Kye Weise, UNESCO’s representative for Nepal Michalle Tuft, Department of Archaeology’s former director general Kosh Prasad Acharya, archaeologist Basanta Bidari, senior Buddhist scholar Dr Lam, senior guru Bibekananda participated in the discussions.