Lumbini, November 24, 2023: The government has completed the final preparations to list the ancient Sakya capital city Tilaurakot Kapilavastu in the World Heritage List. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Lumbini Development Trust, and the Department of Archaeology organized discussions with national and international experts for the preparation of documents for inclusion in the World Heritage List. The government has informed that the final preparation for the inclusion of Tilaurakot in the list has been made based on the documents prepared by experts, discussions, and coordination with stakeholders.

On Friday, in Tilaurakot Kapilavastu, experts presented the documents prepared for the inclusion of Tilaurakot in the World Heritage List and addressed the program organized by the government for the recognition of Tilaurakot. Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Hon. Sudan Kirati, expressed his commitment to list Tilaurakot as a national pride event. He stated, "According to the criteria, I, as the Minister of Culture, Tourism, will take the responsibility for the final recognition. Tilaurakot will be listed in the World Heritage List in due course."

Minister Kirati thanked the experts who have been engaged in continuous research and exploration for the recognition of Tilaurakot in the World Heritage List. He emphasized the importance of the global recognition of Tilaurakot in making it a pride for the world and assured that the government would spare no effort in achieving this goal.

He further stated that the government is committed to continuous research and exploration for the recognition of Tilaurakot in the World Heritage List. He expressed gratitude to the experts for their dedication and hard work and highlighted that the government is keen on making Tilaurakot a globally recognized heritage site.

Also the Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust, Minister Kirati, also mentioned the visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Lumbini on November 14. He stated that the visit elevated the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini, above one foot in the world.

During the program, Minister Kirati acknowledged the efforts made to beautify Tilaurakot after the clearing of bushes and debris by the local community and said that it has been transformed into a beautiful site. He praised the ongoing development work in Tilaurakot and assured that the government will not leave any stone unturned to ensure its recognition in the World Heritage List.

Sudip Poudel, the Mayor of Kapilavastu Municipality, expressed his joy at the final preparations for the recognition of Tilaurakot and emphasized the need for cooperation from the state and local governments. He recalled his personal journey to raise awareness for Tilaurakot and emphasized the importance of the final preparations being carried out for its recognition.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Bharatmani Subedi, shared insights into the government's efforts to coordinate and collaborate for the recognition of Tilaurakot. He praised the long-term planning and coordination between the local and federal governments.

The program also included discussions and presentations by international experts, including Dr. Duncan Marshall and Professor Robin Coningham, who have been conducting studies in Kapilavastu. The documents for the final recognition of Tilaurakot are scheduled to be submitted to UNESCO by January 24, 2024, through the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation.

After the final registration, an evaluation mission, including UNESCO, ICOMOS, and other experts, will conduct studies until 2024, and a proposal for Tilaurakot's inclusion in the World Heritage List will be submitted to the World Heritage Committee in 2025. The program concluded with gratitude towards the experts involved in the preparation of the final documents for the recognition of Tilaurakot in the World Heritage List.

The government had allocated policy programs and budgets for Tilaurakot to be included in the World Heritage List in the fiscal year 2078/79. UNESCO had placed the historic archaeological site Tilaurakot in the tentative World Heritage List in 1996.

 

In advance of the program, a team led by the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Kiran Koirala, Deputy Chairman of the Fund Dr. Lama, the Secretary of the Ministry, and the Chief Archaeological Officer of the Department of Archaeology inspected and observed the Durbar area of Tilaurakot. The inspection was attended by national and international experts, fund officials, and representatives of government agencies. Similarly, on Wednesday and Thursday, the team of experts inspected the proposed core area and buffer zone for editors, including the main stakeholders such as the Mayor of Kapilvastu Municipality and Ward Chairpersons.