The government has decided to provide a fifty percent discount in the royalty charge to the mountaineering teams seeking permission to scale Mt. Manaslu and Lohtse.

According to Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the slashed rates will come into effect from March to June 2006.

The decision has been taken under a policy of observing a golden jubilee of the first ascent of mountains above 8,000 meters, the ministry said adding, the concession will be applicable to the royalty charge on the basis of numbers of mountaineers in an expedition team.

An expedition team consisting upto seven members will be made to pay US$ 10,000, while the additional members of the team will be receiving fifty per cent discount, it is stated.

There are 8 mountain peaks over 8000 meters in Nepal.