Lumbini Province’s Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya highlighted the region’s vast potential for tourism and agriculture during an interactive session at the Lumbiniko Samarthya event held in Bhairahawa on Wednesday. He described Lumbini as a “Mini Nepal” due to its diverse geography, from the mountains to the plains, and its significance as the birthplace of Buddha.

Speaking at the session titled “Lumbini’s Strength: Economic and Political Coordination”, Acharya underscored Lumbini’s rich historical and cultural value, with Buddhism attracting global visitors and Hinduism adding another layer of religious tourism.

He also pointed out the province’s potential in agriculture, noting that Lumbini serves as Nepal’s “granary,” producing essential crops from its fertile plains. “Lumbini is not only historically important but also has immense untapped potential in tourism and agriculture,” Acharya said. “With three national parks and varied landscapes, the region has all the qualities to boost Nepal’s economy.”

The chief minister also claimed that the provincial government is working to improve coordination between the federal, provincial, and local levels, particularly in terms of civil service and policy implementation.

Acharya stated that his government has made significant strides in local governance, such as developing a provincial civil service act and enhancing coordination among federal and provincial officials to ensure efficient service delivery.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak acknowledged the slow implementation of economic reforms outlined in the constitution. While praising political achievements, Lekhak emphasised that economic development had been delayed due to both international challenges and domestic inefficiencies. He stressed the need for swift action to realise the full potential of Lumbini, particularly in the fields of infrastructure development and policy stability.

Further addressing the economic challenges in Lumbini, former chief minister Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary voiced his concerns about the lack of commitment from policymakers regarding the full operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport. Chaudhary claimed that limited political will and bureaucratic inefficiencies had prevented the airport from reaching its potential, leaving both investors and local businesses in limbo.

In the meantime, local business leaders like Chandra Prakash Shrestha, the coordinator of the Lumbini Province Hotel Association, echoed similar concerns, accusing political leaders in Kathmandu of hindering the operation of the airport by prioritising narrow interests. Shrestha stated that although the airport’s infrastructure had been ready, it was not functioning to its full potential, jeopardising the region’s economic growth and tourism prospects.

Khel Raj Pandey, mayor of Butwal Metropolitan City, expressed pride in the local development initiatives, especially in education, where the municipality allocates a significant portion of its budget to enhance schools and healthcare services.

“Education and healthcare are at the forefront of our development priorities,” Pandey stated, mentioning that Butwal now hosts over 91,000 students in schools, marking it as a centre of educational excellence.

Despite challenges, the leaders at the event unanimously agreed that a collective effort from both public and private sectors would be vital to unlocking Lumbini’s full potential, positioning it as an economic powerhouse within Nepal.