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UNESCO’s efforts in conserving the cultural heritage in the Greater Lumbini Area
Members of the International Scientific Committee gathered recently in Lumbini to review project activities and coordinate various initiatives carried out in the Greater Lumbini Area
This meeting was held as part of the Japanese Government sponsored UNESCO project for strengthening conservation and management of Lumbini which is being implemented in collaboration with Nepals Department of Archaeology DoA and the Lumbini Development Trust LDT It brought together national authorities donors and international and national experts in archaeology conservation urban planning environment tourism and heritage management Representatives from the Buddhist community provided further understanding of the needs of Buddhist pilgrims and communities The Committee provided a platform for all concerned stakeholders making sure that the major interests of the site are not in conflict with each other but develop in harmony
Professor Robin Coningham UNESCO Chair in Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage at Durham University explained onsite the archaeological achievements and challenges at the Lumbini World Heritage Site and TilaurakotKapilavastu the remains of the capital of the ancient Shakya Kingdom where Lord Buddha lived until the age of 29 The TilaurakotKapilavastu Heritage Festival showcased the intangible heritage of local communities such as basket weaving pottery and local Tharu music and dances Drawing and speech competitions were organized for local school students
Professor Coningham highlighted The results of the geophysical survey and excavations at TilaurakotKapilavastu have revealed one of the bestpreserved urban forms of an Early Historic City in South Asia whose rural hinterland is almost entirely undamaged
Venerable Metteyya ViceChair of LDT shared the Governments plan for the longterm sustainable development of the Greater Lumbini Area with a focus on heritage protection
Damodar Gautam DirectorGeneral of the DoA stated The Archaeological Risk Map of the TilaurakotKapilavastu site generated by the team will guide future development of this important site
Recommendations approved by the Committee include urging the Government to declare the Lumbini World Heritage Site TilaurakotKapilavastu and Ramagrama as Protected Monument Zones Heritage Impact Assessments should be conducted before every new development project and prior to issuing tender at sites in the entire Greater Lumbini Area The natural surroundings of Lumbini should be better protected It is also recommended to take practical measures to conserve the archaeological remains in Lumbini including the Mayadevi Temple structure and to reduce water penetration inside it The Committee endorsed the request for continuation of the project to align with the process of TilaurakotKapilavastus World Heritage nomination
Yuriko Akiyama First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Nepal thanked UNESCO and the Government of Nepal for preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Lumbini
Suresh Acharya Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation thanked the Government of Japan and requested continuation of the project focused on the World Heritage nomination of the Tilaurakot site
In a followup of the Committee Professor Yukio Nishimura from Tokyo University facilitated a workshop on the World Heritage nomination process focusing on TilaurakotKapilavastu which provided valuable information on the procedures as well as examples from Japan and other archaeological sites in South Asia
