English: As a result of increased population, shifting cultivation, fuelwood extraction and other human activities, the dry zone in Myanmar now expands in an area of about 55,000 square kilometers situated in the lower Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Division. About 34% of the Myanmar population is living there. When traversing this region one could hardly believe being in south-east asia, more well known for its green rice fields than for its dusty arid areas. Water is very scarce and people are spending a big part of their time and energy looking for water where they can find it. Some make kilometers by foot or with bullock carts rising clouds of dust to fill recipients at the closest well. Ethnic Bamar men in Bagan, Myanmar