Korea plans to develop Lumbini as a World Peace City
Travelbiznews Online ———
Kathmandu : Korea plans to develop Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha , as a World Peace City in the shape of lotus.
According to Master Plan for Lumbini World Peace City (LWPC) made public by Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) , the Lumbini World Peace City will cover 25 square miles without affecting the 3 square miles Master Plan developed by Prof. Kenzo Tange some 35 years ago.
The master plan was prepared by a team of planners led by Prof. Young Hoon Kwaak , which plans to develop Lumbini in five circles- Buddha Zone (sacred place) at the center, encircled by Dharma Zone and then Sangha Zone, new rural villages and upasika and upasaka zone at the outer most circles.
Prof. Kwaak said that Lumbini World Peace City would be a completely natural and pollution free city.
On the occasion of unveiling the master plan, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) of Nepal Bhim Acharya urged the world communities to invest in Lumbini for its conservation and development , whereas secretary at MoCTCA Sushil Ghimire said that the Nepal government is working to make integrated development of Buddhist sites located in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi districts.
Korean ambassador to Nepal Choe Yong-jin said that the master plan would develop Lumbini as a World Peace City , the pilgrimage destination of the Buddhists all over the world.
The project will be completed in 15 years starting from 2016 in three phases and the estimated cost of the project is expected to be US $ 762 million.
June 25, 2014
