The study was conducted in Pakke Tiger Reserve (862 km2, 92°36′–93°09′E and
26°54′–27°16′N) in East Kameng district of western Arunachal Pradesh. The park
is surrounded by contiguous forests and delineated by rivers in the east, west
and north. Numerous small rivers and perennial streams drain the area. The
terrain is hilly, with altitude ranging from 150 m to over 2,000 m above sea level.
The central and northern part of the park is relatively inaccessible due to the
dense vegetation and hilly terrain. Hunting, fishing and collection of cane and
other minor forest products is more common towards the southern boundary.
The area has a tropical climate, with cold weather from November to
February. October and November are relatively dry months. The area receives
rainfall from the south-west monsoon (May–September) and the north-east
monsoon (December–April). The average annual rainfall is 2500 mm, mean
(± SD) maximum temperature was 29.3°C ± 4.2 and the mean minimum
temperature was 18.3°C ± 4.7 (1983 to 1995, Tipi Orchid Research Centre). May
and June are the hottest months.