Despite adequate resources, sound planning and enthusiasm, development cannot be successfully carried out without public participation and awareness, understanding between the locals and development authorities, and long-term consistent policies of the government. This is what the Lumbini experience has demonstrated.
The Master Plan for the development of Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, who propagated the message of universal peace some 2,500 years ago, is gradually being implemented in three square miles of the Terai. Although the accommodation for pilgrims, a museum, and a library were completed three years after the Lumbini Development Trust was established in 1985, Project Manager Diwakar Pant is not happy. "We could have achieved more only if we had received support from the locals and His Majesty's Government through timely, consistent and enlightened policies," said Pant.
In a country like Nepal, where social norms are all-important, support must be sought before carrying out development plans. Because of a failure to solicit such support, locals had expressed their dissatisfaction through violence and sabotage, according to Pant. He said some unidentified, technically adept locals had stolen the copper coil inside a 500 kilowatt transformer by unscrewing more than 200 nuts and bolts in one night. The transformer was set up at the power-house on behalf of the Hokke Club of Japan, which has plans for a four-star hotel in Lumbini. "They do not dare to leave window frames, glass sheets or even bricks outside," Pant said. As evidence he pointed to the bare windows of the power house and a damaged portion of a culvert.
Why do the villagers resent a project that is globally applauded? "First, about 80 percent of the villagers here are Muslims and they are not concerned about any Buddhist development. Second, they claim that they are not employed by the development project, even though they do not actively seek jobs. Third, they resent being evicted from 13 kilometers of land for the Project," said Pant. "But they don't think about the numerous advantages that will eventually come from the development of Lumbini," he said, with a sigh. "Tolerance is lacking here."