A CHINESE MONGOLIAN HERDSMAN TAKES CARE OF HIS SHEEP AS A SAND STORM
ARRIVING AT LIANG MIANJING VILLAGE IN INNER MONGOLIA.


A Chinese Mongolian herdsman takes care of his sheep as a sand storm
approaches the village of Liang Mianjing, about 50 kilometres (31
miles) north of Xulun Hobot Qagan Qi in Inner Mongolia, April 13, 2002.
China is bracing itself for more sand storms that affected nearly 130
million people. The latest sand storm during last month affected 1.4
million sq km in eight Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous
regions including Beijing. The problem has worsened in the past 20
years due to massive deforestation and increased drought. REUTERS/Guang
Niu