Kathmandu (PTI): Nepal's army, partly responsible for conserving National Parks, is facing tough questions over poaching of at least eight Asian rhinos in their habitat with the suspected involvement of their "custodians".

At least eight one-horned Asian rhinos were killed over the past one year -- four each in Chitawan and Bardiya National Parks -- and nine others are missing from Bardiya, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Matrika Yadav told reporters on Friday.

The Forest Ministry allocates 30 per cent of its funds to the army for conserving National Parks, he said.

Apprehensions about the involvement of army officials in poaching were confirmed when Bardiya National Park officials arrested one serving army man and three run-away army personnel in a case on May nine.

One rhino horn, 10 kg of tiger skull, an American mad carbon gun, two country guns and explosives were recovered from them.

But after the arrest, the army refused to hand them over for civilian investigation, Yadav, also a central leader of CPN-Maoist said.

Demanding a trial in a civilian court, he said a high- level anti-poaching commission should be set up soon.

In the past, rhino-horns and other priceless animal products were among the collections of the royal family, he said adding "now, the ministry plans to verify it."