Kathmandu, October 13:

The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) has formed an investigation committee to probe the economic and administrative condition and property of the trust.

“After some allegations and rumours about irregularities in the trust, the board has formed the three-member committee to find out the truth,” said Bimal K Baniya, member secretary of the NTNC.

The NTNC formed the investigation committee under Manu Humagain.

Ek Raj Bhandari and chartered accountant Teknath Acharya are the other team members.

The NTNC has formed the committee with the initiation of its governing board of trustees. The trust has Prime Minster as its patron and the Minister of Forest and Soil Conservation as the chairman of the board.

Baniya said that if irregularities really existed, those found guilty should be punished according to law.

He said that after the political turmoil and ups and downs, the work of the trust has been hindered in the past, but they have started coming back normal and suspended work has resumed now. “Once the report of the investigation comes, the trust will be able to function smoothly,” he added.

The NTNC, previously known as the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, is working for promoting, conserving and managing nature with small and large projects for nature conservation, bio-diversity protection, natural resource management and sustainable rural development programmes. It has been conducting projects like the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Bio-diversity Conservation Project and the Central Zoo.