Nepal - Greater Lumbini Area Development Project

Overview & Synopsis

Greater Lumbini Area Development Project for Nepal, the development objectives are to improve tourism-related infrastructure and services and to promote local jobs in the Greater Lumbini Area. Component 1: Destination Planning, Local Economic Development and Private Sector Engagement supports a unified, climate-informed tourism vision and stronger local economies through public–private collaboration. Sub-components include Sub-component 1.1: Destination Planning, which prepares an integrated tourism development plan for the Greater Lumbini Buddhist Circuit linking Lumbini, Tilaurakot, Devdaha, and Ramgram, strengthens destination governance through a Destination Management Organization, and advances branding, marketing, and promotion with the Nepal Tourism Board; and Sub-component 1.2: Local Economic Development and Private Sector Engagement, which upgrades skills and capacities along tourism value chains for workers and micro, small, and medium enterprises including women-led businesses, improves market linkages for crafts and agro-products, builds access to finance and business support through incubation and advisory services, facilitates responsible public–private partnerships and an investment prospectus consistent with heritage and climate goals, and stimulates demand through curated cultural and spiritual experiences in coordination with local institutions. Component 2: Critical Tourism Infrastructure Improvements finances heritage-sensitive, climate-resilient, and low-carbon investments to enhance visitor access, services, and site conservation while improving basic urban livability. Sub-components include Sub-component 2.1: Catalytic and Site-Level Investments, which upgrades the Maya Devi Conservation Shelter and Sacred Garden, expands and modernizes the Lumbini Museum with improved curation and visitor experience, and enhances Ramgram, Tilaurakot, and Devdaha through accessible pathways, interpretation, lighting, sanitation, landscape and drainage improvements, and community spaces; and Sub-component 2.2: Local Infrastructure Improvements, led by the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and Participating Municipalities, which delivers climate-resilient connectivity and access upgrades, trunk drainage and utility improvements, coordinated public realm and streetscape works, and small-scale beautification, greening, markets, lighting, waste management, parks, shaded rest zones, pedestrian and cycling facilities, and community amenities near heritage sites. Component 3: Project Management and Coordination provides institutional and technical support for coordination, procurement, financial management, environmental and social risk management, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and grievance redress to ensure transparent, timely, and adaptive implementation.