FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY RAWALPINDI CAMPUS

TOPIC

SUBMITTED TO

SUBMITTED BY

ROLL NO
 NATURAL RESOURCES IN PAKISTAN
NATURAL RESOUCES -> MEANING
A resource is a supply from which benefit is produced. Typically resources are materials or other
assets that are transformed to produce benefit. From a human perspective a natural resource is
anything obtained from the environment to satisfy human needs and wants.
Natural resources are the resources that exist without actions of humankind. This includes all valued
characteristics including magnetic, gravitational, electrical properties and resources etc. On Earth it
includes atmosphere, sunlight, water, and land along with all vegetation, crops and animal life.

IMPORTANCE OF NATURAL RESOUCES

Everything in our culture immediately comes from natural resources. For example, coal, oil, soil,
water, land, minerals, forests and timber, and air we breathe. The role natural resources has on
Earth is imperative indeed. That is why it is so important for us to all have some accountability and
why we need to PROTECT and RESPECT our environment.
Here are few reasons listed below through light regarding the importance of natural resources and
the need to conserve them:
1. Nature helps to maintain the environmental balance and satisfy the needs to the fullest
2. A wide range of industrial material and biological material from plant and animal, directly or
indirectly are used in production and in the manufacturing of medicine.
3. Resource are known as capital converted to commodity inputs to infrastructural capital
processes.
4. These are the "3R Concept" 3R means "REDUCE", "REUSE" and "RECYCLE". An example is
papers, our user papers will reuse by recycling it and turn it into a new paper product.
5. Resources are important for the development of any country. For example, to generate
energy, one need fossil fuels; and for industrial development we require mineral resources.
6. Irrational consumption and over utilization of natural resources has led to socio-economic and
environmental problems.
7. Natural resources are available in fixed quantity and they are non - renewable
8. Natural resources are getting scarce with the increasing population, so it is essential to
conserve them. This empowers us as well as our future generation to utilize the natural
resources to the full extent
9. It takes millions of year for the formation of natural resources.
10. They play a vital role in the economic development of the country by enriching agriculture,
trade, imports and exports, etc.
 TYPES OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Pakistan is one of resource rich countries in the world having a large amount of coal, gas, gemstones,
copper and gold reserves. Other resources also included oil, iron, titanium and aluminum which are a
necessity for any growing economy. Following are the details of natural resources of Pakistan which
are needed to utilize for the economic boom in Pakistan.

 Coal:
Pakistan recently discovered one low and four low-to-medium quality coal seams in
the Punjab. Low sulfur coal was recently reported at the Baluchistan and near
Islamabad. Bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite coal have been found in Pakistan.
Coal reserves are estimated at 175 billion tons. This would equate to 618 billion
barrels of crude oil. When compared to oil reserves his is more than twice the
amount of the top four countries. If At KSA’s current usage, the reserves would last
more than 200 years.

 Oil and Gas:

Natural gas production is at a high level in Pakistan. Estimated reserves are 885.3
billion cubic meters (as of January 2009). Gas fields are expected to last for another
20 years. The Sui gas field is the largest, accounting for 26% of Pakistan’s gas
production. Daily production is 19 million cubic meters a day. Under the barren
mountains of Baluchistan and the sands of Sindh, there are untouched oil and gas
reserves.

 Mountains:
Mountains are the gift of the nature. They protect from the cool winds. Mountains
are rich in minerals and provide water to our rivers. Mountains of Pakistan are rich in
minerals especially the Western Mountain Ranges.

 Land:
About 28% of Pakistan’s total land area is under cultivation. Pakistan boasts one of
the largest irrigation systems in the world. According to Wikipedia, “the most
important crops are cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize, sorghum, millets, pulses,
oil seeds, barley, fruits and vegetables, which together account for more than 75%
of the value of total crop output.” The fertile lands of Punjab are ready to feed a
population twice that of current Pakistan.

 Water:
The fishing industry plays a role in the national economy of Pakistan. The coastline is
814km and fishery resources still have room to grow. Fishing in Pakistan is a major
source of export earnings. The underground water, river and oceans are natural
 resources. The river system of Pakistan is consisted of Indus and other associated
rivers. We use water for drinking purposes and store the water of rivers and use it
for different purposes like irrigation, for hydroelectricity.

 Forests:
They are helpful in improvement of weather and protect against windstorms. Forests
help in slow melting of snow to stop floods. Nonetheless the forests are a main
source of food, lumber, paper, fuel wood, latex, and medicine. The forests are also
used for wildlife conversation and ecotourism. Normally 25 percent area of a country
should be covered with forests, but in Pakistan it is only 4 to 5 percent (4-5%).

 Mining:
Pakistan has large gold/copper ore deposits at Saindak. There are large deposits of rock salt
in the Pothohar Plateau. Pakistan’s mineral resources include reserves of gypsum, limestone,
chromite, iron ore, rock salt, silver, precious stones, gems, marbles, tiles, sulfur, fire clay, and
silica sand.
Some of the minerals are following:
 Chromite
Chromite is used in preparing other metals, leather tanning, making of steel products,
armament and stainless steel. It is found in Zoab (Muslim Bagh), Chaghai, Malakand,
Mahmand, Waziristan, Fort Sandaman etc.
 Gypsum
It is used for plaster of Paris, paints and cement. It is found in Jhelum, Mianwali, DG
Khan, Kohat and Loralai.
 Sulphur
It is used by chemical industry. Sulphur deposits are found in Kalat, Khairpur, Mardan
and Jacobad.
 Uranium
It is the basic element for atomic power, indispensable for the defense. Uranium
deposits are found in DG Khan, Hazara and Kohat. In 2006 Pakistan produced about 45
tons of uranium.

 Gemstones:
The most valuable thing are the gemstones of Pakistan. Pakistani gemstones include a variety
of minerals such as peridot, aquamarine, topaz, ruby and emerald making the country
significant in the mineral world. Chillas, Gilgit, Hunza, Swat, Dir, Mansehra, Kohistan, Khyber
Agency, Bajaur Agency, Mohmand Agency, Waziristan, Chaman, Taftan, Panjgur, Chaghai,
Panjgur, Kallat, Loralai and Kharan are gemstones rich areas. Those who want to get rid of
paper currency can use these stones along with gold, silver and copper as real wealth and wide
range of gemstones allows Pakistan to get rid of paper currency.
 Gold:
Gold Resources of Pakistan are real worth which also seduces foreign countries to its gold
rich areas like Sandak and Reko-Dik Gold Mines in Baluchistan which are famous for Gold and
Copper. Pakistan have enough gold that it can collect more gold than America and China in its
reserves but only will is needed.

MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED TO UTILIZE

NATURAL RESOURCES
Everything we utilize in our day to day lives is drawn from the available natural resources.
Besides, the artificial resources are derived from the available natural resources. However, we
never think that these resources might get depleted eventually if used irresponsibly.
The surging global population, rapid urbanization and industrialization have created an
increased demand on the available resources. Proper steps need to be taken to ensure that we
continue enjoying these resources and failure to do that, the future generation will face
tremendous hardships. Natural resource conservation ensures that the ecological balance is
maintained.

Below are the ways to save and conserve natural resources:

a. Use of alternative sources of power such as solar and wind energy.

b. Plant trees to prevent soil erosion.
c. Practicing of judicious ways to conserve water in our homes.
d. Growing of vegetation in catchment areas(area from where rainfall water flows to rivers
or lakes)
e. Treatment of industrial wastes and sewages before they are released in the water
bodies.
f. Practice judicious ways of conservation energy (Such practices include switching off the
lights when not in use, unplugging electrical appliances when not in use.)
g. Ensure the recycling of wastes.
h. Planting trees in home compounds.
i. Use earth-bags instead of plastic and paper bags.
j. Use energy saving fluorescent bulbs.
k. Reuse old furniture.
l. Constructions of reservoirs.
m. Control the number of cattle in a household to prevent overgrazing.
 CONCLUSION
We need to make serious attempts to use natural resources in an efficient manner because
in recent years, these resources have depleted as a result of their careless use. Pakistan and
its people has a lot of potential and we are blessed with a whole lot of natural resources. If
the government plans wisely, and the people work hard, the economy of Pakistan can be taken
to a whole new level. The natural and energy resources should be used wisely, judiciously,
preciously and in such a manner that they are present for future generations to come i.e.,
sustainable management.