Proposal to Include Lumbini in the Danger List Rejected

Lumbini, July 25 2024

The proposal to include the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini, in the danger list of UNESCO World Heritage has been rejected. A decision not to include Lumbini in the danger list was made during discussions on the draft at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO World Heritage Committee) held in New Delhi, India, starting from July 21.

Among the 21 countries of the World Heritage Committee, representatives from 19 countries, including India, expressed that Lumbini is of exceptional global significance and that Nepal should be given time for improvements, thus standing against its inclusion in the danger list. Sanuraja Shakya, member secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust, stated that India had proposed amendments to the draft regarding Lumbini being included in the danger list, and 19 out of the 21 nations supported the amendment.

UNESCO has previously warned about activities contrary to heritage conservation and infrastructure development in Lumbini, suggesting its inclusion in the danger list. After the secretariat of the World Heritage Committee prepared the draft for including Lumbini in the danger list, officials from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, along with the Lumbini Development Trust, made diplomatic efforts. To prevent Lumbini from being included in the danger list, a diplomatic initiative was led by Dr. Lharkyal Lama, vice-chairman of the Trust, along with Dr. Ganesh Pandey, secretary of the ministry, Nepal's ambassador to India Dr. Shankar Sharma, and Sudhir Bhattarai, Nepal's ambassador to France.

The Ministry of Culture, the Department of Archaeology, the Nepali ambassador to India, the ambassador in Paris, and the Lumbini Development Trust confirmed a positive decision regarding Lumbini, as stated by Gyanin Rai, senior director of the Lumbini Development Trust.

UNESCO raised questions regarding the construction of a meditation center with a capacity of 5,000, water leakage in the Mayadevi Temple, and unauthorized constructions in the premises. UNESCO has been warning about activities contrary to heritage conservation for some time. Lumbini, the birthplace of Sakyamuni Buddha, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

 

The World Heritage Committee meeting, organized by the Indian government's Ministry of Culture, will take place from July 21 to 31. Participants include Dr. Lharkyal Lama, vice-chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust, Treasurer Dhundiraj Bhattarai, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Dr. Ganesh Pandey, Director General of the Archaeological Department Saubhagya Pradhananga, Additional Secretary of the Ministry Suresh Suras Shrestha, Member Secretary Sanu Raja Shakya, Senior Director Knowledge Rai, and Senior Archaeological Officer Himal Kumar Upreti. During the meeting, Nepal committed to implementing suggestions raised by UNESCO regarding heritage conservation standards and impact assessments.