Tribhuvan University has yet to enforce its decision to reclaim large swathes of encroached land, over a week after formally approving the move.

A government-commissioned probe has found that about 2,539 ropanis (around 129 hectares) of university land have been encroached upon or misused. The university had decided on April 6 to recover the land.

Vice-chancellor Deepak Aryal said the recovery process had been initiated. “We will also move against those involved in misuse and embezzlement,” he said, adding that the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority and the Central Investigation Bureau could pursue legal action.

However, a senior official said staff and professors allegedly linked to the encroachment have blocked implementation.

Navindra Bhandari, spokesperson for TU, said the decision was sent to the General Administration Division on April 7. “Implementation has begun. Encroached land will be reclaimed, and those responsible will face action,” he said.

A meeting led by Aryal also decided to notify relevant government agencies. But staff and professors’ unions have objected. These groups are accused of leasing out university land unlawfully for decades and collecting rent.

The university has issued an eight-point plan. The first calls for publishing the 2024 probe report through the varsity’s website, which remains pending.

The committee, led by former joint secretary Mahendra Kumar Thapa, submitted its findings to then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on December 17, 2024. The report, initially withheld, was made public on October 12, 2025, by then Education Minister Mahabir Pun.

Despite clear findings of irregularities, no recovery effort followed for months. Action gathered pace only after a new government under Balendra Shah.

The second decision mandates a 35-day public notice ordering individuals, firms and organisations occupying university land without legal basis to vacate it.

The university will also direct its campuses and affiliated bodies to return any encroached property. Land allocated for specific purposes but used otherwise will be taken back.

Future use of university land must comply with procurement laws, university regulations and government lease procedures, with prior executive approval as per the decision.

The executive council has also decided to form a high-level task force to investigate losses and recommend action against those responsible. The probe committee has likewise called for legal proceedings through anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.

An implementation committee is to be set up, and decisions shared with the Prime Minister’s Office, ministries, land and survey departments, the CIAA and the CIB.

The CIAA has already opened an inquiry. Raj Bahadur Rai, chief of the General Administration Division, said statements have been recorded and documents seized. He said he was unaware of the latest decision.

The land investigation report also flags an attempt by operators of Laboratory Secondary School to seize 108 ropanis (about 5.5 hectares) using forged documents.

University officials say reclaiming the land will require government backing. Staff and professors’ associations have indicated they would return the land, but are reportedly seeking protection from legal action over past use.

Tribhuvan University Employee Association chair Chhatra Karki said the land had been used under executive council decisions and would be returned if requested. “If found guilty, we are ready to face action,” he said.

Of the 5,218 ropanis (around 265 hectares) acquired by the state in 1956 and 1973 for the university, roughly 2,539 ropanis (129 hectares) have been encroached upon, the report states.

Within the Kirtipur campus, about 1,843 ropanis (94 hectares) have been reduced or misused. Outside the campus, 696 ropanis (35 hectares) have also been encroached upon.

At the central campus alone, around 843 ropanis (43 hectares) are occupied by 21 organisations and groups. The report also finds that 148 ropanis (about 7.5 hectares) belonging to constituent campuses in Kathmandu Valley have been misused.

A field survey of 18 out of 22 campuses found encroachment affecting roughly 150 ropanis (7.6 hectares) across seven campuses. Constituent campuses across Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur hold about 1,253 ropanis (64 hectares) in total.

Entities using university land include the Laboratory School, Radha Soami Satsang Beas Nepal, staff and professors’ unions, BP Koirala Memorial Planetarium, the National Ayurveda Research & Training Centre, and Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh.

Others include Nepal Bank Limited, Global IME Bank, police units in Kirtipur, Balkhu and Kalimati, the Lions Blood Transfusion Centre, and the Cricket Association of Nepal, among others.

Public bodies such as the Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board, Kirtipur Municipality, and the Nepal Electricity Authority are also among land users.

Outside Kirtipur, 696 ropanis (35 hectares) in Naikap, Dillibazar, Tripureshwar, Lubhu, Kapan and Swayambhu remain encroached. The committee has urged immediate recovery, citing prolonged administrative negligence as a key factor behind the loss.