Material and Methods

Study area

Geographically, Nepal is divided into three regions: Western (west to 83°E); Central (83°E to 86°30’E); and Eastern Nepal (east to 86°30’E) (Banerji 1963; Stainton 1972). Our study area included seven districts of Western Nepal: Kalikot, Mugu, Jumla, Jajarkot, Rolpa, Rukum Easr and Rukum West, and Dolpa (Map 1) and three protected areas i.e. Rara National Park, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, and Shey-Phoksundo National Park in Western Nepal.