2. Materials and methods
2.1. Study area
The study area is mainly comprised of Bucha and surrounding
areas in Mohmand agency, north of Peshawar, Pakistan which is located
between longitudes 71°35′ to 71°38′ E and latitudes 34°20′
35″ to 34°25′40″ N. Main settlements in the Mohmand agency are
in the valleys of the Shilman, Gandab, Pindiali and along the bank of
Kabul River. These settlements generally have dry and arid watercourses.
Running water is hard to find in most of these valleys, except
in Gandab and Shilman valleys. Climate of Mohmand agency is hot in
summer and cooler in winter. Most of the rainfall is during winter
season. This area is generally mountainous; however, low lying plains
are also present. These plains are irrigated by Kabul and Swat rivers
and their tributaries. The study area is generally covered by the low
lying hills in the north and north-western part and the adjoin piedmont
fluvial plain in the southern and south-eastern part (Fig. 1).