Lumbini is a popular pilgrimage site for many Buddhists– WWF wants to secure the area’s cultural ecology.

The birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, more commonly known as Buddha, is honoring the memory of the great religious leader, ascetic and enlightened being. The Sacred Garden in Lumbini has achieved its goal of planting 108,000 trees in the year of 2011. The number is only an annual benchmark; the intended goal over a decade is 1 million trees. Lumbini, located in the Rupandehi district of Nepal, will be planting trees native to the region during Buddha’s lifetime. WWF reports that these trees include the ashoka, sal, pipal and kadam trees–planted to “conserve the religious and ecological heritage of Lumbini”.

Lumbini is one of the last places in the world where endangered tigers, elephants and rhinos all reside side-by-side. Ensuring its ecological future stands as a testament to the Buddha’s message and belief in the right of life guaranteed to all sentient beings.

Source: Tree Hugger
Photo Credit: “Lumbini Flags” by Nospuds