KATHMANDU: The Nepal Trust owns more than 21,633 ropanis of land across the country, over Rs 2.18 billion in cash, US$180,118, £55,622 and 1,299,735 shares in various banks and companies. It also controls historic properties and major commercial buildings. Yet questions persist over how effectively these assets are being used.
The Trust says it uses its movable and immovable assets to generate income in line with the Nepal Trust Act. Acting Executive Secretary Suman Ghimire said the assets were not lying idle and were being used in areas that could increase revenue and fulfil the Trust’s objectives.
By the end of fiscal year 2025/26, the Trust had deposited more than Rs 2.18 billion in banks. Around half of the interest earned is spent on daily administrative expenses, conservation and maintenance of historic and tourist sites, and proper management of its properties. The remaining income is invested in areas expected to generate further returns, Ghimire said.
According to the Trust’s annual report published last year, it holds land titles for 21,633 ropanis and 15 annas across 12 districts. The office says it is still identifying and acquiring additional properties.
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Spokesperson Ramesh Bahadur Basnet said the process was under way to transfer an additional six ropanis of land belonging to Aishwarya Vidyashram in Jaleshwar, Mahottari, into the Trust’s name. He said around half of the interest income was used to maintain historic and tourist sites and conserve biodiversity.
The Trust oversees properties including the Hima and Ratna temples in Pokhara, which are being developed as museums, Diyalo Bungalow in Chitwan and Kanti Ishwari Griha in Hetauda. Basnet said the office planned to introduce a new strategy and pursue legal reforms within the current fiscal year. He maintained that the Trust’s assets were being used transparently.
The Trust earns revenue from property rentals, lease payments, bank interest, share dividends, entrance fees and service charges. By mid July 2026, these sources had generated around Rs 229.81 million for its fund during the fiscal year.
The Trust says all properties acquired so far have been leased out after completing the required legal procedures. One of its prominent holdings is Darbar Mall, a commercial building on one ropani and 14 annas of land at Durbar Marg, opposite Narayanhiti Palace in Kathmandu.
The building was leased to Thamserku Trekking Company under a build, own, operate and transfer model for an annual rent of Rs 45 million. An agreement signed on May 28, 2017, covers 30 years, including a three year construction period. A dispute over rent for an additional floor of the building is now under arbitration, according to the Trust.
Other major properties include land at Gokarna Royal Forest leased to Gokarna Forest Resort Pvt Ltd, formerly LM Subir Brothers; Kathmandu Plaza in Kamaladi, leased to Concept Developers Pvt Ltd; land in Lazimpat occupied by the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police; and land in Teku leased to Business Park Town Developers Pvt Ltd.
Thamserku Pvt Ltd leases the Solti Outer Complex in Tahachal and land in Kalimati. Short term tenants include the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, the Poverty Alleviation Fund, the Department of Foreign Employment in Tahachal and the Civil Service Residential School in Chuliban.
The Trust also holds shares in institutions including Nabil Bank, Hotel de l’Annapurna and Rastriya Banijya Bank.
The government established the Nepal Trust after the abolition of the monarchy to manage properties belonging to former King Birendra Shah and other royal family members killed in the 2001 palace massacre. The Nepal Trust Act was enacted in 2007 to identify and recover royal family assets across the country.
The Trust says it has transferred 21,639 ropanis of land previously registered in royal family members’ names into its ownership. Recovering land registered in private individuals’ names in Kathmandu required prolonged government efforts. Authorities blocked the sale and transfer of disputed properties and initiated action against those involved in registering Trust land in private names.
Despite its extensive property portfolio and multiple revenue streams, questions remain over whether the Trust is generating the best possible returns from its assets and protecting them for the public interest.
