Table 1.

Major characteristics of the study area

District	Village (s)	Nearest Trade Centers	Climate and Physiography[from[28]]	Ecoregions and Vegetation[from[29]]	Major Ethnic Group (s)	Major Occupations
Bardiya (Mid-western development region)	Khata, Bagnaha, Bipatpur, Dhodari, Dhanoura, Neulapur, Suryapatuwa, Amarpur	Gulariya, Rajapur, Nepalgunj	Subtropical Monsoon Climate, Terai and Siwalik	Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands, Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, Himalayan subtropical pine forests	Tharu, Magar, migrated Bramin and Chettri	Agriculture, labor work in nearby cities and India, public service
Dang (Mid-western development region)	Chaite, Machchital, Singe, Laththahawa, Kohali	Lamahi, Ghorahi	Subtropical Monsoon Climate, Terai and Siwalik	Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands, Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, Himalayan subtropical pine forests	Bramin, Chettri	Agriculture, labor work in nearby cities and India, public service
Kailali (Far-western development region)	Shankarpur, Gounahiya	Dhangadi, Gauriphanta (India)	Subtropical Monsoon Climate, Terai and Siwalik	Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands, Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, Himalayan subtropical pine forests	Tharu, Raji	Agriculture, labor work in nearby cities and India
Makwanpur (Central development region)	Twanrakhola	Hetauda, Birjung, Narayanghat	Subtropical-Temperate Monsoon Climate, Siwalik and Mid-Hills	Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands, Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, Himalayan subtropical pine forests, Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forest	Bankariya	WEP harvesting, labor work in the nearby village and city
Tanahun (Western development region)	Patan, Jamune, Toonipul, Geruwatar, Bhimad	Damauli, Pokhara, Narayanghat	Subtropical- Temperate Monsoon Climate, Mid-Hills	Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, Himalayan subtropical pine forests	Magar, Chettri	Agriculture, labor work in nearby cities and India, public service