Rukum West, March 6 -- Nearly three months ago, sheep herders from Rukum East arrived at Thulidaha, Musikot of Rukum West, in mid-western Nepal, to escape the harsh winter cold in the highlands.

The shepherds reached Thulidaha in mid-January. While the men take the sheep to graze in the nearby forests, the women keep busy crafting traditional outfits and other goods from sheep wool.

Three households, with around 600 sheep, have settled in Thulidaha for the season.

Many Himalayan communities have a tradition of working with wool. Most are pastoralists who keep large herds of animals, mainly sheep.

Mana Kumari Budha of Taksera said they produce various woollen items, including coats, kambal (traditional blankets) and radhi (mattresses)....