Himal Press 
BUTWAL: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel has said that the government is committed to developing the Greater Lumbini Area while ensuring the protection of its cultural and archaeological heritage.
Addressing the opening ceremony of a three-day International Conference on the Greater Lumbini Area in Lumbini on Friday, Paudel said Lumbini transcends national borders and requires collective efforts for its conservation and development.
“Lumbini is above the boundaries of any particular country,” Paudel said. “There is a need to foster cooperation among stakeholders to protect and develop the birthplace of Buddha.”
Paudel, who is also chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust, said the government has launched the Greater Lumbini Area Development (GLAD) Project in partnership with the World Bank to strengthen heritage conservation and promote Lumbini on the global stage.
He said Lumbini should not be promoted merely as a tourist destination but as a place where visitors can experience the teachings of Buddha, cultivate peace and compassion, practice meditation and mindfulness, and explore spiritual and holistic well-being.
Paudel expressed confidence that the conference would help build a common understanding among the Lumbini Development Trust, UNESCO, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the World Bank, Buddhist communities, local communities, experts and development partners.
More than 150 national and international participants, including government officials, Buddhist religious leaders and community representatives, heritage and tourism experts, development partners and local representatives, are attending the conference being held at Lumbini Buddhist University.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lumbini Province lawmaker CK Gupta, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula, acting member secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust Gyanin Rai, acting mayor of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality Kalpana Harijan, UNESCO Representative to Nepal Jaco du Toit and World Bank representative Elad Shenfeld, among others, said the conference could mark an important step toward sustainable tourism and heritage conservation in the Greater Lumbini Area.
The Greater Lumbini Area includes Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha; the ancient Tilaurakot palace; Devdaha, believed to be the maternal home of Queen Maya; Ramgram, where Buddha’s relics are believed to be preserved; and other important archaeological and religious sites such as Panditpur.
The conference will conclude on Sunday.
