To raise awareness about conservation of Sarus Crane, the tallest flying bird in the world, Lumbini Development Trust organized 'Lumbini Sarus Festival' at the birthplace of Sakyamuni Buddha Lumbini on 27th November 2019. The one-day event was organized in the premises of Japanese Peace Stupa in Lumbini. 
The program started at 8 o'clock in the morning with different exhibition stalls related to Sarus conservation. Local youths from the community exhibited different stalls for awareness of Sarus Crane conservation. Lumbini Birdwatching Club showcased a model wetland for the conservation wetland ecosystem. The bird feeder and life-size Sarus Crane made up from trash were also exhibited in the festival. 
A group of local youths from Lumbini exhibited Kalanamak Rice, ancient variety of aromatic rice species known as the Gift of Gautam Buddha, as 'Sarus Rice' for the purpose of protecting Sarus Crane. Green Youth of Lumbini, Mahilwari Sewa Samaj, Siddhartha Children's Club were other organizations involved to raise awareness about Sarus conservation in Lumbini.
School level art competition and essay competition were organized on the theme of Sarus Crane and its conservation. Birdwatching tour was organized for School level students to educate them about birds and bio-diversity of the region.  
Co-founder of International Crane Foundation Dr. George Archibald, Mayor of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality Mr. Manmohan Chaudhary, Vice Chair of Lumbini Development Trust Ven. Metteyya Sakyaputta and Canadian Environmentalist Bodhi Sakyadhita inaugurated the festival amid a formal program. Vice Chair Ven. Metteyya welcomed the participants and told the importance of organizing the festival. He reminded the story of Gautam Buddha saving a wounded Sarus and told that the bird is considered as the symbol of peace and love in Buddhist community. "To promote Buddhism in Lumbini we should protect Sarus Crane" he said.
Mayor Manmohan Chaudhary announced the commitment of Municipality for the protection of the Sarus Crane, City Bird of of municipality. He said that necessary steps would be taken by the municipality in the current fiscal year. He assured a long-term plan and its implementation by the local government to protect this beautiful bird.
Rabindra Shrestha, a conservationist from Kathmandu, who surveyed Sarus Crane around Lumbini on 22nd, 23rd and 24th November presented the data on Sarus Crane in the program. According to him total 171 Sarus cranes were spotted by the survey team around Lumbini in 3 days. 
Chetan Pant, Bhairahawa based journalist, told that the Sarus crane must be protected in Lumbini and adjoining area to promote eco-tourism. 
During the formal program prize and certificate were distributed to the winners of art and essay competition.
Executive board member of LDT Mr. Amrika Kohar, Treasurer of LDT Mr. Surendra Muni Shakya, acting member secretary of LDT Mr. Saroj Bhattarai, Deputy Director of WWF Nepal Mr. Rajendra N. Suwal, Deputy Mayor of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality Mrs. Janakidevi Shrivastava, venerable monks and nuns from the monasteries in Lumbini, staffs of LDT, security personals, tourism entrepreneurs, farmers, students, local non-government organizations also participated the festival with a great enthusiasm. 
The Biraha Song and Dance related to Sarus conservation by a local cultural group added musical colour to the festival.