A writ has been filed at the Supreme Court demanding conservation of Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO world heritage site, that is facing threat from pollution-prone industries.

Senior advocate Prakash Mani Sharma, Rama Panta Kharel, Dineshmani Tripathi, Save Heritage Campaign Struggle Committee coordinator Ganapati Lal Shrestha, advocate Pankaj Kumar Karna, law student Sanjaya Adhikari, Bhupendra Prasad Poudel, and Ashutosh Bhusal lodged the writ at the apex court on Wednesday, arguing that the rampant registration of private industries that could potentially have a serious impact on the conservation of the historic and archaeological site. The writ further argues that it is against the constitution, various state laws, decision of Industry Promotion Board, and international law to grant permission to pollution-prone private industries in the vested interests of certain groups.

The polluted air and chemicals emitted from 61 industries being operated in the area were found to have detrimental to human health. “If the pollution in Lumbini is not controlled, it will have a serious repercussions on the priceless archaeological sites such as Ashok Pillar, and statues, among other artifacts,” the writ states. It has further noted that the pollutants and smoke emitted from the nearby industries have had their negative impact also on the habitat and life of endangered bird sarus crane, changed the nature of soil, affected agricultural output and bio-diversity.  

The Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation, Department of Industry, Department of Roads, Lumbini Development Trust, National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department, Nepal National Commission for UNESCO, and District Administration Office Rupandehi have been made defendant in the writ alongside industries being run in the area, including Supreme Cement, Goyanka Cement, Jagdamba Cement, Ambe Steels.