Hon. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari inaugurated Tree Plantation campaign organized in Lumbini – the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is proposed to have 60 percent of land covered with greenery in the Lumbini Master Plan prepared by the Japanese architect, Kenzo Tange. The plantation campaign is initiated to fulfill the provision of Lumbini Master Plan. In the first phase of the campaign, 2500 plants are planted alongside the central canal of Lumbini. As the Government of Nepal and the Lumbini Development Trust are preparing to complete the Lumbini Master plan in 3 years the greenery will be maintained by the time of completion of the master plan.

Chaired by Vice Chairman of LDT Awadhesh Kumar Tripathi (Ven. Metteyya Shakyapatta), the plantation campaign was attended by Minister Hon. Rabindra Adhikari, Upper House Member Hon. Durga Upadhyaya, State Assembly Member Hon. Fakruddin Khan, Vice Mayor of Lumbini Cultural Municipality Janaki Devi Shrivastava, Representative of Asian Development Bank, Board Members and Staff of LDT, security personnel, media persons and local community and occupational groups.

The Chief Guest of the program, Hon. minister Adhikari urged everyone to participate in making Lumbini green and clean. He told that the Lumbini Masterplan would gain momentum and would be completed within 3 years. He said that with the completion of Gautam Buddha International Airport the flow of tourist in Lumbini would increase and thus Lumbini must be prepared to welcome tourist from all over the world.

Vice Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust Ven. Metteyya said that the tourists who come to Lumbini have only option to visit in the Temple and monasteries. “For the facility of the tourists to enjoy in the peaceful environment of Lumbini, LDT is committed to making Lumbini greener and cleaner in the days to come’ said Ven. Metteyya. He also urged for cooperation in this regards to concerned all.