The level of pollution in Nepal is devastating. The major cities of Nepal have already been listed as one of the highly polluted cities. Kathmandu, the capital city has been reported to be the one of the most air polluted city of the world. All form of pollution are destroying major environmental sites of Nepal. The pollution reading for the town of Chitwan was 113.32 and the capital, Kathmandu, which is known for its high pollution levels, was at 109.82. This type of environmental hazards have also started to destroy major landmark sites of Nepal. And one of them is Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Lumbini is one of the UNESCO world heritage site. But recent data collected from air quality monitoring stations in five places across the country show Lumbini is highly polluted. For the month of January, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Lumbini, in southwest Nepal, was measured at 173.035 micrograms per cubic metre. Another study conducted by the IUCN and Unesco found that the pollution had begun to threaten the Lumbini World Heritage site. The reports have shown that the Ashoka pillar established in 249 BC by Emperor Ashoka to mark the birthplace of Buddha has been sampled with fine powser traces of  gypsum, calcite, dolomite and magnesite.

Most of this pollutants have been sourced back to the nearby cement factories although the government has declared the 15 km periphery around the Lumbini site as a protected site. The effects of this pollution has already been seen. The religious monks are compelled to wear air mask during their meditation.They had to cut their retreat short and go back because they could not tolerate the conditions. Health workers in the area said the conditions were getting worse.In the past 10 years the number of people with lung related diseases has gone up.

So at last lets hope that the government officials become aware of this situation and work to find the source of the pollution and nullify the effects. I f not, then one of the IUCN listed world heritage site that receives 1 million tourist every year may perish soon.