TU Begins Steps to Reclaim Encroached Land
Tribhuvan University has begun internal preparations to recover land that has been encroached upon or appropriated by other bodies. This follows the public release of the University’s Land and Immovable Property Investigation Committee Report, 2081.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology made the report public on Asoj 26, 2081 BS, in line with a decision of the Council of Ministers.
Scale of encroachment
The report states that 18 institutions, ranging from private entities to religious organizations, are occupying land owned by TU. It clearly notes that, in the past, various institutions used these lands at will due to collusion by the university’s own officials and employees.
-
Total TU land: 5,218 ropani
-
Encroached area: more than 2,000 ropani
-
Institutions involved: 18 (private and religious)
Implementation approach
Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Dr. Deepak Aryal
Plan: Recover each parcel by accounting for every individual plot.
Ministry discussion: One round of talks has already been held regarding implementation.
The university is also holding discussions among its officials in various phases.
Potential coordination: If required for implementation, assistance may be sought from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. According to the Vice-Chancellor, “TU has already advanced the processes for actions it can take on its own. We will proceed further in consultation with the ministry as needed.”
Kirtipur Lab School discussions
At the Kirtipur University Campus, TU has called the principal and others of the Laboratory School for discussions about its removal from the campus premises. During these talks, TU proposed operating the school as a university school.
If not operated as a university school: the school has been told to relocate and operate elsewhere.
The Vice-Chancellor said, “We will not drive them out overnight like chasing monkeys. We will ask them to move elsewhere by giving adequate time.”
Other occupied sites under review
TU noted that study is also underway regarding lands on which various structures have been built and are in operation on university property, including the Republic Memorial and land used by the Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Board and other institutions.
Risk of re-encroachment and protection measures
TU remains concerned that even recovered or boundary-disputed lands could be encroached again. The university states that protecting land is difficult due to the large area and mostly open boundaries.
Protective plan: Allocate a substantial budget to construct perimeter walls or other forms of fencing across all TU lands.
Committee formation and timeline
Committee coordinator: Former Secretary Sharadaprasad Trital
Formation date (BS): 2081 Jestha 17
Report submission (BS): 2081 Poush
Study duration: about five months
The committee conducted land searches and studies over this period before submitting the report to the government.
Tribhuvan University