Brick factory (30)

            Cement and Clinker factory (11)

            Steel factory (2)

            Noodle (1)

            Flour (2)

            Others (10)

It is true that industry is the backbone of a country?s economy but when it comes to pollution , there cannot be anything  worse than industrialization and would be of no surprise if I state industrialization as the sole reason for diminishing condition of Lumbini. Through my brief study, I have come up with some inevitable contributors of pollution. Few worthy to be mentioned are as :

 ? Extensive use of firewood by the ethnic groups residing in the area.

 ? Waste management is not a prioritized concern here.

 ? Disposal of untreated sewages in the water.

 ?Lumbini welcomes thousands of tourist every month whose comfortable  stay as managed by the numerous hotels through the use of generators is also responsible for the ever increasing pollution.

 ? Extensive use of old vehicles.

 ? Use of high power and heavy equipments.

AS aforementioned , the pollution has created severe impact on the lives of the people and aesthetic importance of the place. I have managed to shortlist  few,

 ?The peaceful existence of flora and fauna is at risk.

 ?People have mistaken the air pollution impact as the early morning fog.

 ?The huge dumping of untreated wastes released from industries have made the nearly water sources unsuitable for domestic purpose.

 ?The water quality index level has decreased to 45 while the desirable quality is 90-100.

 ?Heavy and large vehicles has created the chaotic road network leading to the huge traffic jams and associated transportation problems.

 ? The photosynthesis and transpiration rate of the plants has been disturbed by the accumulated dust over their leaves.

 ?People are at the risk of different air and water borne disease like asthma, diarrhea, dysentery , eye infection and so on..

 ?A study by Costantino Meucci entitled ?Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha: Project to strengthen the conservation and management of Lumbini , preliminary analytical report? highlighted that gypsum salt in the atmosphere is damaging the Ashoka pillar.

Governmental policies :

 Various applicable acts designated to control environmental hazards are:

 ?The government of Nepal decided in November 209 that carbon-emmitting industries would not be allowed to operate in Lumbini Protected Zone, a rectangular area (1 mile by 3 mile) to 15 km to the north,east,west and south as well as in 800mt designated area on both side of Bhairawa-lumbini road.The GON also issused a decree that industries operational at the world heritage property must respect the environmental protection Act and those who failed to do so would face compulsory relocation within 2 years.

 ? The water resource Act ,1992 prohibits any action that may pollute water resources surpassing the threashold value.

 ? In 1982,Nepal established the Environment  Impact Study Project (EISP) under the Ministry of Environment Forests and Soil Conservation to initiate activities for the formulation of necessary policies and law and create awareness and the environmental matters

 ? The Constitution of the kingdom of Nepal 1990 Electricity Act 1992, Electricity regulation , 1993 and Hydropower Development Policy , 1992 emphasized on the protection of the existing environment and stated that no significant adverse environmental impact in terms of physical , biological, social, economic and cultural aspects should occur due to any development project

 ?The industrial enterprise Act , 1992 has the power to impose fines , cancel the registration or close down an industrial operation , if there is any violation of this act or non compliance.

 ? Non –goveremental citizen grops have formed at the local and national level to combat pollution problems of Lumbini.Many of these organizations provide information and support for people or organizations traditionally not involved in the decision making process.International Buddhist society , Lumbini Academy, Cross-flow and Lumbini Development Trust should provide technical information about the effects of pesticides on farm workers.NGOs should be active to support for communities targeted for hazardous waste installations.A well-organized , grassroots,environmental justice movement should be arisen to advocate equitable environmental protections.Green pace is an activist organization that focuses international attention on industries and governments known to contaminate land, sea or atmosphere with toxic or solid wastes. Friends of the Earth International are federation of international organizations that fight environmental pollution around the world.

      As I come to conclusion of my piece of writing , I would like to add that now time has come for all of us to give a thought towards the ever increasing pollution else the price of it will be beyond our reach and capabilities.. Thank you!!!

References :

            The Himalayan times,April13,2005

             Environmental Impact Assessment of Industrial Development Around Lumbini, The Birthplace of Lord Buddha, World Heritage Property