SATV 12 July, Kathmandu: UNESCO has temporarily removed Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, from its list of sites under potential threat. The 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris made the decision, recognizing ongoing preservation efforts. The committee also agreed to send a reactive monitoring mission to Lumbini to assess its overall condition.

The removal followed recent improvements, including heritage conferences and strategic planning. However, based on the mission’s report, the site could still be reconsidered for the danger list.

Lumbini was previously flagged as at risk in 2024, following a 2022 monitoring mission. The decision at the 46th session in Delhi had avoided listing the site due to India's intervention. Subsequent reforms and a heritage conference helped secure Lumbini’s current standing.

Meanwhile, Tilaurakot-the ancient capital where Buddha spent his early years, is close to being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A team led by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badriprasad Pandey and Lumbini Development Trust officials is finalizing the nomination in Paris. Formal submission to UNESCO’s central office has already been made.

Tilaurakot, believed to be over 2,800 years old, has been under excavation since 2014. The site has revealed an organized city predating Buddha’s era. Declared a protected monument area, Tilaurakot spans around 140 bighas.

Plans are also in place to designate nearby sites: Kudan, Gotihawa, Niglihawa, Araurakot, Sagarhawa, and Sisaniya, as protected, making the broader Kapilvastu region part of the World Heritage list.