KATHMANDU: The Office of the Nepal Trust has been given a green signal to conserve and rent lands, houses and villas owned by members of the former royal family.

The Trust established nine years ago has finally prepared its regulation and enacted it thereby paving the way for renting the assets.

The Trust in absence of a regulation had not been able to earn an income by offering the former King's properties on rent.

Trust Secretary, Bhim Upadhyaya, said the Trust has taken over the ownership of 25,600 ropanis of land in name of former King Birendra Shah. The Trust has also opened up seven palaces in various locations for the public and tourists.

"The enactment of the regulation has paved the way for the Trust to earn by renting the former royal family's lands and properties." Upadhyaya said, adding, "We will start renting the lands and other properties."

The Trust has prepared and implemented a work procedure to run educational, academic and health campaign under the Nepal Trust Programme with economic income from renting out the buildings and lands.

The procedure includes running schools, colleges and university in rural areas and managing scholarships and providing subsidy to educational institutions, said Upadhyaya.

Meanwhile, the Trust has proposed the construction of 25 well-equipped buildings reflecting unique art and culture of Nepal on lands belonging to former royal family, meant for accommodating foreign VVIPs on their tour of Nepal.

"We will begin constructing the proposed buildings after the proposal is passed," Upadhyay said.

The Trust floated the proposal at the 39th board meeting of the Trust's Board of Directors on July 15 in the presence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.