Decision 45 COM 7B.46

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

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7B.148 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Welcomes the finalization of the Integrated Management Framework (IMF) for the property and its adoption by the Government of Nepal, and urges the State Party to facilitate and provide the necessary resources for its swift implementation;
4. Also welcomes advice from the State Party that Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) will be completed for any proposed project that may have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, requests the State Party to ensure that the draft procedures and format for HIAs in Nepal are reviewed to be consistent with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context prior to being adopted, and reiterates its request that HIAs be carried out before any further work occurs within the property or in adjacent areas identified as having potential archaeological significance, and that these HIAs and relevant project documentation be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, in conformity with Paragraphs 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines, before making any decision that would be difficult to reverse;
5. Further welcomes advice from the State Party regarding the International Scientific Committee (ISC) established as part of the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust project for the protection and management of the Greater Lumbini Area, along with the State Party’s expressed commitment to using this forum and other international and technical meetings to support holistic conservation of the property, its OUV and wider setting;
6. Takes note of the conclusions and recommendations of the 2022 joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property, and also urges the State Party to instigate a programme for the progressive implementation of the mission recommendations, particularly with respect to:
   1. Governance, site management, regulations and supporting documents,
   2. Submission of information to the World Heritage Centre,
   3. Interdisciplinary surveys and associated discussions regarding the Mayadevi shelter and improvements to facilities for pilgrims and visitors,
   4. Implementation of preventive measures to reduce any negative impact to the property and its OUV, the surrounding landscape and the environment from the Buddhist Meditation Hall, located within the Lumbini Kenzo Tange Master Plan Area;
7. Also requests the State Party to implement the recommendations of the March 2023 meeting of the ISC, particularly with respect to:
   1. Declaration of the property as a Protected Monument Zone in accordance with the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 1956,
   2. Sector strategies on: Archaeology, Local Development, Disaster Risk Management, Visitor Management, Environment and Buddhist Organisations, as outlined in the IMF,
   3. A Visitor Management Plan/Physical Plan for the entire Sacred Garden of Lumbini,
   4. Conservation and monitoring measures for the Mayadevi Temple Shelter,
   5. Investigations, conservation and management of Tilaurakot-Kapilavastu and the Greater Lumbini area,
   6. Sustainable development and tourism;
8. Further requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Committee informed about the updated details of the Lumbini World Peace City initiative and to prepare a comprehensive HIA as outlined above and submit it to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies before implementation;
9. Further notes the proposal to reduce industrial activity in the vicinity of the property, and requests furthermore the State Party to submit further information about this initiative to the World Heritage Centre;
10. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, 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 46th session, considering that the urgent conservation needs of this property require a broad mobilization to preserve its Outstanding Universal Value, including the possible inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.