Kathmandu — Serious questions are being raised over alleged misuse of vehicles, fuel, and funds belonging to the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), chaired by Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri.

According to internal sources, the Minister’s younger wife, Basana Shahi, and son, Rajendra Shahi, have been using two separate NTNC vehicles for their personal purposes. Rajendra has reportedly been using a Renault Duster bearing the registration number B AB 2921, while Basana has been traveling in an EcoSport with number B AB 2306 — both owned by the NTNC.

The Trust has also provided two full-time drivers — Uttam Mainali and Ratna Lama — to cater to the Minister’s family, along with unlimited fuel supplies, maintenance, and allowances. While Rajendra reportedly drives himself, the two drivers remain on 24-hour standby for Basana’s use.

Insiders say this is in addition to the vehicle already provided to the Minister under government facilities, and accuse the NTNC Secretariat of arranging extra resources illegally. Secretary-member of NTNC Dr Naresh Subedi is alleged to have personally overseen and approved the arrangements despite objections from staff citing violations of NTNC’s governance policy.

When reached for a response, Dr Subedi confirmed that the vehicles and drivers belong to the NTNC but denied they were formally allocated to the Minister’s family. “They may have occasionally used the vehicles for work purposes, but they haven’t been given to them,” he claimed — assertions that sources dispute, pointing to frequent sightings of the vehicles in private use.

Meanwhile, fuel coupons have reportedly been requested for individuals both from the Ministry and the NTNC — raising concerns of duplicated or inflated claims.

Government officials say providing separate vehicles and unlimited fuel to the family members of the NTNC chairperson is illegal. Discussions are said to be underway within the ministry over the apparent misuse of Trust resources to appease the Minister.

Controversial Norway Trip Funded by NTNC Core Fund

In a related development, Minister Shahi Thakuri, along with his younger wife and private secretary Bhim Bista, returned last week from a week-long trip to Norway reportedly paid for through NTNC’s core fund. Officially, only an NTNC representative was required to attend a routine meeting related to the NORPART project — supported by the University of Inland Norway — but records show a five-member delegation traveled instead: Minister Shahi Thakuri (as NTNC Chair), his wife Basana Shahi, private secretary Bhim Bista, NTNC Secretary-member Dr Naresh Subedi, and NTNC official Dr Madhu Kshetri.

Although Dr Subedi claimed the organizers covered the expenses and that the Minister’s wife paid her own costs, sources told Nature Khabar that the entire trip — including airfare, hotel, meals, transport, and allowances — was paid by the NTNC. The University reportedly only sponsored the expenses for one NTNC delegate, as originally intended.

The visit, which included sightseeing at the Wild Reindeer Centre and Arctic Fox Breeding Facility in Oppdal, drew criticism within NTNC as an apparent personal and family excursion disguised as an academic visit. Planned meetings — including with Norway’s Environment Minister — reportedly did not take place, and only a few hours of official discussion were held.

As internal dissatisfaction grows, officials accuse Minister Shahi and Dr Subedi of abusing NTNC funds and resources for private benefit under the pretext of official duties — in direct contradiction to the Trust’s policies on transparency and financial discipline.