Project with unlimited potential

Though tourism (along with hydropower) is time and again referred to as the panacea to pull out Nepal from abject poverty, the immense potential of religious tourism is often ignored in our national discourse. The dialogue on tourism is more often than not restricted to how we have so far miserably failed to attract sizeable number of tourists despite being blessed with immense natural beauty in the form of lakes, rivers and the mighty mountains. That is quite unfortunate because the tourism possibilities that some of our religious places, particularly Lumbini, offer is unprecedented. The birthplace of Lord Buddha presently attracts just about 500,000 tourists each year but if the place is given the attention and care that it deserves, the number of tourists visiting it can easily jump many folds.



Fortunately, that is what is likely to happen soon if what the Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation is planning to do sees the light of day. The foundation, which has the blessings of the Chinese government, is planning to invest US$3 billion in the town of Lumbini for the construction of temples, an airport, a highway, hotels, convention centers and a Buddhist university. As a first step in that direction, it recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nepali government. If all goes according to plan, the face of the town is going to positively change in the future.



The investment by the Chinese foundation will certainly be seen by many through a political lens and interpreted as an attempt by China to assert its influence in Nepal. Along with its spectacular economic growth, China is certainly gradually expanding its orbit of political influence around the world but until the time Nepal does not allow the northern neighbor to meddle in its internal affairs, we see no problem in this venture. Our foreign policy should be dictated by reason, not emotions. If such investments help us prosper economically, without compromising on our national interests, we should welcome it.



Finally, a word of advice to our government, which has pledged to jointly develop and operate Lumbini. This is a great opportunity for us. Let not our chronic ills – nepotism, favoritism, red-tapism, bureaucratic hassles, corruption – mar the progress of this project. The prospects that this mega project offers is too huge and it cannot be approached with our usual lackadaisical attitude. Mecca and Vatican, the holiest places for Muslims and Catholics respectively, each attracts over 5 million tourists (and growing) every year. Imagine how we will benefit as a nation when a similar number of tourists from the meager half a million now start flocking Lumbini.

Related story

Unlimited Saturdays Unlimited Fun at Soaltee