Religious tourism and environmental conservation in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, World Heritage Site, Nepal.

Lumbini, Nepal's UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Lord Buddha, faces significant challenges in balancing religious tourism growth with environmental conservation. The Lumbini Master Plan (LMP), nearing completion in 2019, aimed to integrate natural landscapes into pilgrimage experiences while addressing social, economic, and ecological impacts. However, its implementation has struggled to keep pace with rapid development driven by international investments, leading to conflicts between local dynamics and the plan's original vision. This study critically evaluates the LMP's design and execution, highlighting the need for sustainable management strategies to ensure Lumbini's long-term preservation amid increasing visitor numbers and infrastructure expansion.

Lafortune-Bernard, A., Suwal, R. N., Weise, K., & Coningham, R. A. E. (2020). Religious tourism and environmental conservation in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, World Heritage Site, Nepal. Religious Tourism and the Environment, 83–94. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781789241600.0083