A catalyst for economic growth

There are 119 local levels in this province consisting of four sub-metropolitan cities, 32 municipalities and 73 rural villages. The state is bordered by Gandaki state to the east, Sudurpaschim state to the west, Gandaki/Karnali state to the north and India to the south. In this province, there is a Himalayan region with a height of 7,000 meters from the plains. Butwal, Bhairahawa, Nepalganj, Dang etc. are important financial and commercial centers of the country in this province. Lumbini region has a great potential to become a catalyst for the overall economic development of Nepal. It has some strengths. The province has fertile land areas from Bardia to Nawalparasi and some Hocha hills which can be very suitable for hill farming. There are also some high hill areas, where herbs etc. can be promoted. Therefore, this province is an area of ​​great potential.

This province is also very important for industrialization, international trade and construction of international transmission lines as it shares a border with India for more than 100 km. Tourism is an important part of the development of this province. Lumbini is believed to be the site of the remains of Ramapithecus, the oldest human ancestors ever found in Nepal. Archeological studies have also shown that the oldest human settlements are located near Lumbini. The remains of some houses, pottery and other materials from 3300 years ago have been excavated. This province is also very important from the point of view of archaeological studies. Gautama Buddha's birthplace Tilaurakot, the place where he spent his childhood and youth and many Buddhist sites, which can become a very important area for about one billion Buddhists around the world, students who want to study Buddhist philosophy, studies, researchers, etc.

Kapilvastu where Maharishi Kapil expounded Sankhya philosophy is here. Lumbini province holds great importance in terms of cultural studies and cultural tourism as it is also a place of human ancestors, ancestors, knowledge, philosophy and new explorations at that time. Talking about the tourist area, Butwal's Jitgarhi Fort, where the Nepalese have a brave record of defeating the British army, has a history. It can also become an important place for those who want to study the construction of Nepal nation and patriotism. Among the four famous dhams of Nepal, Rurukshetra is in this province. Swargadwari, Resunga, Supadeurali, Bahrakune, Dharapani and other religious and tourist places are also located here. Bardia National Park is also famous for its wildlife. Especially for the study of Patebagh, this area can become a very important place. Water tourism can be developed in various rivers including Kali Gandaki. These places can be very useful for adventure tourists as well. In this way, Lumbini province is an area with great potential in terms of development.

However, this province has not been able to develop uniformly. Districts such as Rupandehi, which are not only in physical development but also in the leading position in human development index, are located here. Districts like Rukum and Rolpa are far behind in terms of human development. Those areas were left behind by the conflict yesterday, where the wounds and pains of the conflict have not yet been healed. In terms of development, those areas are lagging behind. Hence there is a great need for balanced development in Lumbini. Inequality of development is the main challenge of this region. Here, for the development of the agricultural sector, the construction of Naumure multi-purpose project should be completed by diverting the river to Tinau through Kaligandaki diversion. While the Bheri Babai diversion work has been completed, one of the alternative irrigation arrangements for the Dang valley has to be arranged. If this happens, Lumbini province can produce food for half of the country's population. Policy makers should pay attention to this matter.

Open borders are one of the main reasons why agriculture cannot develop in Nepal. Due to open borders, Nepali farmers are not able to compete with vegetables and fruits coming from India. Because, agriculture in India is heavily subsidized. The cost of production of agricultural produce is very low due to many subsidies. There is no subsidy of that level in Nepal. Therefore, Nepali farmers' production is relatively expensive. Nepalese produce is good, it is available fresh, but the produce has not been preserved. The government has to somehow control the import of foreign agricultural products and protect, encourage and promote domestic production. For this some additional tax may be levied at customs.

The same applies to industrialization. For the encouragement of industries, the government needs to bring the policy of protection of indigenous industries and implement it effectively. The foundation stone of the industrial sector has also been laid in other districts and places including Banke. The biggest problem faced by entrepreneurs now is land acquisition.

The regular operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa is very important for the development of tourism here. India is not giving positive support in this. Even though the infrastructure is ready, the airport has not been fully operational due to India's non-permission on small agreements like the Near Border Operating Guideline. Therefore, the government should play an effective diplomatic role with India to make the airport, which has such a huge investment, operational as soon as possible. After the airport is operational, more and more tourists can be brought into Lumbini.

It is necessary to develop the integrated development of various places connected with Buddha. The then tourism minister did a very bad thing by deciding to give the Ramgram area, which is said to house the remains of Buddha, to the private sector. However, the process has now stalled. There is also an area including Sagrahawa where about 9 thousand Buddhist monks were massacred. Protection and integrated development of all of them is necessary.

Migration from the hilly district of Lumbini is high. Some villages have been abandoned. As there is no working labor force, the land becomes barren, and the production decreases, the dependence on the city is increasing. Even the remittances have not benefited the hills much, instead shifting the migration of the hills to the plains. Talking about the prosperity of Lumbini, it is now necessary to find a way to control the migration. Otherwise, the balanced development of Lumbini that we have been talking about is sure to become more unbalanced. Transformation of agriculture for which important river diversions and all month irrigation can be done by constructing various projects to increase production, determine market prices and make them competitive.

To operate the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bhairahawa at its full capacity and to increase exports through established industries, to create a favorable environment by managing the waste and pollution from industries due to industrial development, the quarrying of limestone, which is used as raw material by cement industries, is adverse to it. Minimizing the impact of soil erosion, protection of water sources, etc. are the challenges of industrialization. There should be no delay in making the master plan of Lumbini province by making tourism the focal point. It is certain that Lumbini will be known as the best province of Nepal if cultural, archaeological, religious, wildlife and adventure tourism can be developed.

Tourists coming from neighboring countries and third countries can be extended their stay at major tourist spots with the construction of quality infrastructure while providing full security assurance. There is potential for business related to trekking and transport services for famous tourist places and pilgrimage places like Lumbini, Rurukshetra, Galeshwardham, Muktinath and Mansarovar through the under construction Kaligandaki Corridor.

Ruppandehi and Banke districts have special economic zones and industrial zones as well as major Indian customs points, so there is a good possibility of industrialization as there is an easy supply of raw materials needed by the industry in this region. Being a cheap and easy tourist destination for Indians, there is also a possibility to attract tourists by building and developing other entertainment facilities such as Kevalkar, Fun Park, Rafting etc.

(Gyawali is the Deputy Secretary General of CPN-UML and former Minister of Tourism and Foreign Affairs.)