The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7B,
- Recalling Decision 38 COM 7B.18, adopted at its 38th session (Doha, 2014),
- Notes the progress made in finalizing the Integrated Management framework document, but regrets the delay in its adoption;
- Also notes that development activities have been undertaken before the adoption of the management plan and without conducting Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs);
- Urges the State Party to adopt and implement the Integrated Management framework document as a matter of priority, and to carry out HIAs, with a specific section focusing on the potential impact of the project on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), in conformity with the 2011 ICOMOS Guidelines on HIAs for World Heritage Cultural Properties, for the proposed projects, before undertaking any new work within the property or in the adjacent areas identified as having potential archaeological significance;
- Takes note of the State Party’ strategy with the international community to utilize the property to develop a Lumbini World Peace City, but expresses its concern with the project’s potential impact on the property and its current use and therefore, requests the State Party to provide details on the proposed project and to carry out a HIA, with a specific section focusing on its potential impact on the OUV of the property, in conformity with the ICOMOS Guidelines on HIAs for World Heritage Cultural Properties, before the project proposal is approved;
- Encourages the State Party to develop a strategy for the protection of the larger Greater Lumbini Area and its wider setting, including but not limited to Tilaurakot and Ramagrama, and to further reduce industrial activity in the vicinity of the property;
- Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018.