Historic Victory in Nepal – Halting Polluting Industries

Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha. L to R: Advocate Shraddha Suman Acharya, Advocate Sanjay Adhikari (Executive Director), Advocate Dikshya Sapkota, and Advocate Prakash Mani Sharma (Patron), Prakash M Sharma Academy for Public Interest Law.
Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha. L to R: Advocate Shraddha Suman Acharya, Advocate Sanjay Adhikari (Executive Director), Advocate Dikshya Sapkota, and Advocate Prakash Mani Sharma (Patron), Prakash M Sharma Academy for Public Interest Law.

The Lumbini UNESCO World Heritage site has suffered for years from polluting cement plants, brick kilns, and other industries that have encroached on a Buddhist pilgrimage site.

ELAW partners in Nepal share fantastic news:

“We are thrilled to share a historic environmental victory from the Supreme Court of Nepal. On August 27, 2025, in response to Writ No. 075 WO 0946, filed by Senior Advocate Prakash Mani Sharma, Advocate Sanjay Adhikari, and our team, the Joint Bench of Hon. Justice Kumar Regmi and Hon. Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel has issued a landmark directive to protect Lumbini the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site from industrial pollution.”

Sanjay shares key highlights of the verdict:

  • No new polluting industries (carbon, dust, smoke emitting) allowed within 15 km of the Lumbini boundary wall and southward to the Indian border.
  • Mandatory closure or relocation of existing polluting industries in the protected zone within two years.
  • Strict vehicle restrictions: No vehicles over 19 tons allowed in the designated zone.
  • Encouragement of tourism focused development and incentives for eco friendly use of vacated industrial land.
  • Reinforcement of Nepal’s constitutional and international obligations to protect sites of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).

Sanjay writes:

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the ELAW Science Team, especially Dr. Mark Chernik, whose technical insights and unwavering support played a critical role in strengthening the scientific foundation of this case. This collaboration between law and science has proven once again to be a force for meaningful, lasting change.

This decision is more than a legal win—it is a declaration of ecological and cultural sovereignty. It affirms that sacred heritage and environmental integrity outweigh industrial interests, and it sets a powerful precedent for the protection of vulnerable heritage sites worldwide.”

Congratulations Sanjay and your entire team at the Prakash M Sharma Academy for Public Interest Law!

Dr. Lalanath de Silva
Executive Director

Lalanath's Signature

Dr. Lalanath de Silva
Executive Director
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide

Further Reading:
The four-point order of the Supreme Court, including the closure of industries and factories up to a distance of 15 km in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha.