Kathmandu, January 20: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, has said that the government would take initiatives for the development of Lumbini. Saying that serious discussions are being held for its development, Minister Bhattarai shared that the Ministry would carry out necessary activities immediately by considering the suggestions received so far.
At a program organized by Lumbini Development Trust at the Ministry yesterday, he mentioned that the development of Lumbini is in the priority of the government, as this birthplace of the Buddha is one of the prominent heritages making Nepal well known around the world.
The Tourism Minister added that Lumbini would be developed as the ‘Greater Lumbini’ by incorporating Mayadevi, Ramgram, Tilaurakot, and Lumbini—the sites close to the religious heritages. He was of the opinion that discussion would now be held with the state government, local governments and stakeholders for the development of Lumbini while adding activities would be carried out keeping multi-cultural aspects to develop Lumbini into the Greater Lumbini.
Likewise, Secretary at the Tourism Ministry, Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, stated that coordination would be made with experts and stakeholders for Lumbini’s development. Also speaking at the event, Vice-Chairperson of Lumbini Development Trust Awadhesh Kumar Tripathi, planning expert Dr. Mahendra Subba and Associate Professor at the Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk, Dr. Sanjay Upreti, presented working papers on Lumbini’s further development.
