The workshop of the International Expert Committee Concluded

Lumbini, Chait 6th

 

The three-day workshop convened by UNESCO's International Expert Committee to address the sustainable conservation, development, and promotion of the historical and cultural heritage of the Greater Lumbini area concluded on Tuesday.

Organized jointly by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Lumbini Development Trust, Department of Archaeology, and UNESCO, the workshop spanned from Sunday to Tuesday.

Held at the Buddha Maya Garden Hotel in Lumbini, the workshop witnessed experts offering invaluable insights into the development of archaeological conservation and assets in the Greater Lumbini region. Dr. Lharkyal Lama (Khenpo Chhime), Vice-Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust, in his closing remarks, underscored the importance of earnestly considering the suggestions put forth by the International Expert Committee. He also stressed the significance of Lumbini as the spiritual nucleus for more than a billion people globally and advocated for prioritizing facilities for pilgrims, akin to those available at other archaeological sites worldwide.

Under the auspices of UNESCO's Japanese Fund-in-Trust, a project has been ongoing in the Greater Lumbini area for the past 14 years. As part of this initiative, the International Expert Committee was formed, convening gatherings of international experts annually.

In recognition of the Lumbini area's conservation value and to foster development, a collaborative International Expert Committee has been established with the participation of the Government, Department of Archaeology, UNESCO Nepal, and Lumbini Development Trust, comprising both domestic and foreign experts.

Experts recommended adhering to the principles outlined in the Lumbini Master Plan, crafted with United Nations assistance, which focuses on building infrastructure for heritage conservation. They also advocated for extending this plan to the Greater Lumbini area. These suggestions were reiterated this year.

 

During the committee discussions, insights were shared by esteemed figures including Prof. Roland Lin of UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, International Expert Prof. Dr. Robin Cunningham, Prof. Dr. Yukio Nishimura, Expert Dr. Kai Weise, Director General of the Department of Archaeology Saubhagya Pradhananga, former Director General Kosh Prasad Acharya, Archaeologist Basanta Bidari, Secretary of Lumbini Development Trust Sanuraja Shakya, Senior Director Gyanin Rai, UNESCO Project Coordinator Nabha Basnyat Thapa, and Senior Archaeologist of the Trust Himal Kumar Upreti, among others. Additionally, Siddhicharan Bhattarai, Treasurer, Joint-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Suresh Suraj Shrestha, Project Chief of the Trust Smita Bhatt, and Executive Member Shyam Roka actively participated in the discussions.

Senior Director Gyanin Rai highlighted that over the course of the three-day workshop, deliberations centered on ongoing activities, sustainable conservation practices in the Greater Lumbini area, as well as future plans, with valuable suggestions being provided.