(1) The authority to investigate offenses under this Act shall be vested in the respective custodians in the case of national parks, reserves, protected areas and intermediate areas, and in the case of other areas, the District Forest Officer or the officer designated by him and in the case of other areas where the District Forest Office is located, the District Forest Officer or the officer designated by him and the District Forest Office is not present. In the district, it will be to the official level employees specified by the Government of Nepal.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Government of Nepal may, by publishing a notice in the Nepal Gazette, form a joint investigation team or designate any official of the Government of Nepal to investigate the offense under this Act.
(3) The investigation officer or team under sub-section (1) or (2) may exercise the following powers while investigating the offence:-
(a) Immediately arrest the offender and take necessary action,
(b) during the investigation of the offense under this Act or during the collection of evidence, in accordance with the prevailing law, take or cause to be searched any office, house, building, warehouse, vehicle or any other place,
(c) To confiscate endangered wildlife or plants or their specimens related to the offense and other items, materials, weapons, vehicles and evidence used in such offence,
(d) To use the necessary powers as an investigation officer in accordance with the prevailing law while investigating the crime.
(4) When investigating an offense under this Act, the investigating officer shall have the same rights as a police officer in relation to the investigation work, including the preparation of a land bond. (5) It shall be the duty of security agencies to provide necessary assistance in the investigation and investigation of offenses under this Act.