Decision 42 COM 7B.13

Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha (Nepal) (C 666rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7B.42 adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
3. Notes the progress made with the finalization of the Integrated Management Framework (IMF) document, but regrets the delays encountered with its adoption by the State Party;
4. Notes with concern that development activities have been undertaken within the property and the Buffer Zone prior to the formal adoption of the Management Plan and without systematically conducting the necessary impact assessments or following the Archaeological Risk Map;
5. Urges the State Party to adopt and implement the IMF document as a matter of priority, and to systematically carry out Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) for the proposed projects, with a specific section focusing on the potential impact of the development projects on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in conformity with the 2011 ICOMOS Guidelines on HIAs for World Heritage Cultural Properties, before undertaking any further work within the property or in the adjacent areas identified as having potential archaeological significance;
6. Expresses concern about the Lumbini World Peace City project and its potential impacts on the property and reiterates its request to the State Party to provide details on the proposed project and carry out an HIA, in conformity with the aforementioned ICOMOS Guidelines, and that this assessment be provided to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, before any activity is implemented;
7. Encourages the State Party to develop a clear strategy and concrete further actions for the protection of the Greater Lumbini Area and its wider setting, including but not limited to Tilaurakot and Ramagrama, and to further reduce the increasing industrial activity in the vicinity of the property;
8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, 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 43rd session in 2019.