Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya has said that prosperity should be achieved by linking religious sites with tourism.

Addressing an interaction program organized at Madan Baba Bhaktikendra in Ambapur, Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City-13, on Monday, Acharya expressed the view that the province will achieve prosperity by promoting sites linked to ancient civilization and human development.

Describing Lumbini Province as a land of gods, austerities and a repository of knowledge, he informed that the government has taken forward work as per the plan to link the religious and cultural heritage of this region with tourism. ‘There is sufficient basis for the development of religious tourism,’ he said, ‘The preservation of ancient heritage is indispensable for the promotion of spiritual, religious and cultural tourism.’

Former Chief Minister of the province Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary said at the program that the preservation and promotion of historical and religious sites is necessary for the overall development of Dang. He expressed the view that the Saryu River is related to the Copper Age and that ancient materials from the sixth century were found in the Dangisharan Palace in Sukaura, and expressed the view that attention should be paid to the identity and development of this region.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Bhumishwar Dhakal said that an integrated plan is needed to develop the necessary infrastructure and expand facilities at religious tourist sites. Minister for Industry, Tourism and Transport Prachanda Bikram Neupane emphasized that the tourism sector should be prioritized through the budget and programs. Minister for Urban Development and Drinking Water Saroj Thapa said that attention should be paid to the development and promotion of religious sites for the sustainable development of Lumbini Province.