Natural resources:

Natural resources are the substances obtained from the earth which are used to support different
necessities of human life. No role exist by humans in the production of these resources these are
only used by humans to form different goods.
Examples of natural resources include Coal,oil,sand,metals,etc

Types of natural resources

1. Exhaustible natural resources
Exhaustible are those natural resources which are limited in quantity and their
uncontrolled use can exhaust them.
Examples Coal, Crude Oil, Metals, Natural gas etc.

2. Inexhaustible natural resource:

Inexhaustible natural resources can never be depleted whether their use is unlimited.
Examples Air, sunlight, water, soil are Inexhaustible natural resource.

Significance of Pakistan natural resources in shaping it’s economy and

development
Pakistan is a geographically diverse country with a large number of essential ecological
characteristics which is blessed with northern mountain, deserts, wetlands and Coastal regions
supporting diverse and distinct inhabitants. Moreover ,it is the highly populized country of
South Asia. Its population is increasing rapidly.

Energy resources
Hydropower
The water resources in Pakistan primarily originate from the expansive Himalayan landmark
covering almost 400,000 sq. km., where glaciers and snowmelt make the robust Indus River
System, sustaining agriculture in the Indus Plains. The Indus river system is contributed by five
major rivers – the Indus itself, along with the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej – and is
supported by three major reservoirs and 23 barrages.

Economic contribution
These reservoirs are equipped with large generators for electricity generation, which fulfill the
nation’s power requirements. Pakistan hydropower potential stands at approximately 59,796
MW, distributed across various regions: 24,736 MW in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 21,725 MW in
Gilgit-Baltistan, 6,450 MW in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and 7,291 MW in Punjab. However, this
capacity falls short of meeting the country’s electricity demands, requiri the construction of
additional dams along these rivers. Construction of these dams could significantly boost
Pakistan’s economy by reducing the cost burden on major industries that currently produce their
electricity.

Environmental implications
Harnessing hydropower is environmentally advantageous, as it is devoid of pollutants. Moreover,
it facilitates water storage, mitigating flood risks for riverside populations while ensuring a
sustainable water supply for agriculture in remote areas. Despite these benefits, around 89% of
Pakistan’s hydropower potential remains untapped, presenting a promising opportunity for future
development.

Coal
Pakistan’s total coal production amounts to 7.352 million tonnes. The coal production areas in
Pakistan are as follows:
Sindh: Lakhra, Sonda, Thatta, Jherruck, Thar, Haji Coal, and others (184.623 million tonnes).
Punjab: Eastern Salt Range, Central Salt Range, Makerwal (0.235 million tonnes).
Balochistan: Khost-Sharig-Harnai, Sor Range/Degari, Duki, Mach-Kingri, Musakhel Abegum,
Pir Ismail Ziarat, Chamalong (0.217 million tonnes).
KPK: (0.09 million tonnes).

Energy production
Coal serves as a significant source of energy production in Pakistan, contributing to electricity
generation and industrial processes. It plays a crucial role in meeting the country’s energy
demands, especially in sectors where alternative energy sources are limited. Pakistan imports
nearly 19 million tonnes of coal annually, with half of it utilized by the power sector for energy
production.
Industrial sector
In the industrial sector, coal is essential for various industries such as cement, steel, and textiles,
serving as either a fuel or raw material. The industrial areas heavily rely on coal for energy and
electricity generation, given its affordability and the high scale of production in Pakistan.
Establishing specialized coal plants in Pakistan could foster development in these sectors.
Export potential
Pakistan has substantial coal reserves, presenting an opportunity for coal exports to generate
foreign exchange earnings. This could contribute positively to the country’s balance of payments
and overall economic stability. Currently, Pakistan’s coal mining industry falls short of meeting
domestic demand, necessitating the import of about 19 million tonnes of coal. Developing new
coal mining plants domestically could eliminate the need for such imports and eliminate the need
for such imports and enhance self-sufficiency in coal supply.
Enviromental implications
The environmental consequences of coal mining in Balochistan include methane (CH4) gas
emissions averaging 11.8 m3/ton and carbon monoxide (CO) gas emissions averaging 36 ppm,
surpassing the acceptable limits of 1-10 m3/ton for methane and 30 ppm for carbon monoxide.
These elevated emissions levels restrict the usage of coal due to environmental

Fisheries
Fish are finite natural resources critical for human food security and aquatic ecosystems. They
are highly traded globally and serve as a significant source of sustainable income and
employment, especially in fisheries-dependent economies. Fish contributes to about 20% of the
world’s animal protein consumption and serves as the primary animal protein source in countries
like Iceland and Japan. Aquaculture encompasses a diverse range of organisms, including fish,
crustaceans, mollusks, seaweeds, and aquatic plants, with oysters and carps being the most
harvested species.

Economic Contribution:
Pakistan, boasting a 1,120 km coastline and 3,102,408 ha of inland water reserves, features
major fish harbors like Karachi Fisheries Harbor, Koranic Fish Harbor, Pasni Fish Harbor, and
Gwadar Fish Harbor. Karachi Fisheries Harbor alone handles approximately 90% of the
country’s fish and seafood catch, with 95% of its fish products exported globally, contributing
3.50% to the national GDP and over one-fourth (25.72%) to the agricultural GDP. Pakistan
currently exports fish valued at US$350 to 400 million, supporting an estimated 400,000
fishermen and their families who depend on the fisheries sector for their livelihoods.

Environmental Implications:
Fisheries have substantial environmental impacts, including overfishing leading to fish stock
depletion and loss of biodiversity, bycatch of non-target species like dolphins and turtles, habitat
destruction from practices such as bottom trawling, pollution from fishing operations and
aquaculture, and climate change effects altering fish distributions and ocean conditions.
Sustainable fisheries management is imperative to tackle these challenges, necessitating
measures such as quotas, bycatch mitigation, habitat conservation, responsible aquaculture
practices, and integration of climate change considerations into fisheries management strategy .

Forest
The forest sector of Pakistan is a main source of lumber, paper, fuelwood, latex, medicine as well
as food and provide habitat and wildlife protection. 4.91% are of Pakistan is occupied by forest.
The Shangla district is the only district of Pakistan that is occupied by of more than 80% of
forest .

Economic contribution
Forests and plantations are vital for supplying timber and fuelwood to meet Pakistan's growing
population needs. About 52 million cubic meters of wood are available, with timber making up
29% and fuelwood 71%. Government forests provide 12%, while private lands contribute 88%
of the wood supply. The wood-based industry is valued at approximately PKR 1,165 billion, and
when including related industries like brick kilns and charcoal, it reaches PKR 1,842 billion.
There are about 293,439 small wood-based industries in the country.

 Around 45% of households still use firewood for cooking. Forests also contribute about
PKR 21 billion annually, with 7% of total employment in forestry services, rising to 10%
when considering livestock. Approximately 600,000 workers are employed in wood-
based industries.

Environmental implications
Influence on Air Temperature
Forest vegetation can lower the air temperature by 0.8 to 1.8 °F about five feet above the ground,
depending on the type of forest and its location, especially the altitudes
The cooling effect of forests is more pronounced closer to the ground than in the treetops.
Different tree species have varying impacts on air temperature. Forests generally reduce daily
temperatures in spring and summer but slightly increase them in autumn and winter. The,……y
also lower the daily maximum temperature while raising the daily minimum temperature, leading
to a narrower daily temperature range.

Influence on Atmospheric Humidity

The effect of forest vegetation on air humidity varies widely across different areas, especially
with changes in elevation.Forests play a significant role in reducing evaporation by slowing
down wind speed near the ground, increasing air humidity, shading the soil, lowering
temperatures, and covering the soil with leaves and debris. This helps retain moisture in the soil.
For example, on a windy day, soil in open areas can lose up to five times more moisture through
evaporation compared to soil under forest cover. Similarly, snow in open areas can evaporate
four times faster than snow protected by forest cover

Influence on soil
Forest plantation has a positive impact on soil by improving its fertility through nutrient addition.
It helps by generating new soil layers and changes soil structure by accumulating plant matter,
promoting weathering with acids produced by plants, and slowing down the movement of air and
water.

Minerals
Mineral deposits vary widely, with some countries lacking significant deposits. However,
Pakistan stands out as it has abundant metallic and non-metallic minerals like copper, iron ore,
chromite, rock salt, gypsum, limestone, sulphur, marble, coal, gold, gemstones, and more.
Copper
Copper is a valuable resource in Pakistan, found in large quantities mainly in sulfides, oxides,
and carbonates. Extracting copper involves mining rocks that typically contain about 2% copper,
making them economically valuable.
The copper industry in Pakistan produces high-quality conductors and supplies domestic cooking
utensils. Major copper deposits are located in areas like Chaghi, Sandak, Reko Diq, Qalat,
Lasbela, and Zhob in Balochistan, with Chaghi and Lasbela being significant global copper.

Gold
Pakistan has valuable gold deposits, mainly in the Chaghi district of Balochistan. The Reko Diq
mines are significant, estimated to hold about 1200 tonnes of gold, with 255 tonnes already
proven. The Saindak mines have around 83 to 63 tonnes of confirmed gold and copper reserves.
Gold is utilized in minimal amounts in electronic devices such as computers and cellphones.
Similarly, it is used in small quantities in utensils. Therefore, fluctuations in gold prices have
little impact on this economic sector.

Iron ore
Iron ore is one of Pakistan’s top five minerals, with estimated reserves of 1.427 billion tonnes of
various grades. The Kalabagh reserves alone are around 350 million tonnes, and in 2015, 500
million tonnes were found in Chiniot, with 60-65% being high grade. These reserves are
economically significant, but annual production is low compared to national needs.

Additionally, the Pachin Koh-Chigendik deposits in Nokindi, Balochistan, are linked to the
Sanjrani volcanic and consist of magnetite and hematite ores. Geological surveys suggest
potential reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes with further exploration. These Balochistan ores
are suitable for Pakistan's steel mills industry.

Gemstone
Pakistan is home to a variety of valuable gemstones like peridot, aquamarine, colorful topaz,
emerald, ruby, bastnaesite, xenotime, sphene, tourmalines, and various quartz types. The
Gemstones Corporation, established in 1979, used to handle their extraction and exploration but
was dissolved in 1997.Currently, the Trade Development Authority and All-Pakistan
Commercial Exporters Association manage the mining and trade of these gems. This sector holds
untapped potential for international buyers, with gemstone concentrations mainly in Northern
Areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

Gypsum
Gypsum is a valuable mineral found in large quantities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accounting for
92% of Pakistan’s total gypsum reserves estimated at 5.5 billion tonnes. The province has about
seventy mines producing 4.2 million tonnes annually. This resource is crucial for various
industries that manufacture products like plaster, plasterboards, gypsum powder for soil
conditioning, cement, dental plaster, orthopedic bandages, gypsum lamps, and decorative items
made from gypsum.

Chromite
Chromite is a vital mineral in Pakistan used for making stainless steel, paint, nichrome, and
chemicals. Its widespread use fulfills many industrial needs in the country. Chromite deposits in
Pakistan are formed from molten material on tectonic plates, with exploration starting in the
1960s, although initial estimates lacked authentication.
Pakistan has been exporting chromite since 1903, earning varying amounts from Rs 168 million
to Rs 404 million in different periods. Higher export earnings are possible with high-grade
chromite meeting global demand. However, Pakistan currently imports chromite chemicals, and
meeting domestic needs requires efficient resource management and planning despite ongoing
projects.

Environmental implications
The extraction and utilization of minerals can have various environmental implications,
including:

Habitat Destruction: Mining operations can lead to the destruction of natural habitats,
affecting wildlife and ecosystems.

Air and Water Pollution: Mining and processing minerals often release pollutants into the
air and water, such as particulate matter, heavy metals, and chemicals, leading to pollution and
ecosystem damage.

Deforestation: Mining activities may require clearing forests, contributing to deforestation

and loss of biodiversity
Water Usage: Mining operations require significant water usage, which can strain local water
sources, leading to water scarcity and conflicts with other users.

Climate Change: The energy-intensive processes involved in mining and mineral processing
contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

Waste Generation: Mining generates large amounts of waste, including tailings, which can
contain hazardous materials and pose risks to nearby communities and ecosystems.

Social Impacts: Mining activities can lead to social impacts such as displacement of
communities, conflicts over land and resources, and negative health effects on nearby
populations due to pollution exposure.

Land Degradation: Mining activities can degrade land quality, affecting agricultural
productivity and land use sustainability.

Conclusion
So, natural resources can enhance the economy of Pakistan if they are used wisely. Pakista
imports a lot of natural resources such as coal, metals, minerals and natural gas which
burdenized economy of the country. Pakistan export mainly include raw materials which do not
compensate imports because of low output. If these raw materials are converted into suitable
materials these can be export with more potential. Pakistan has less refining industries .To
Increase the production of these minerals more plants should be established.
Overuse of these resources can limit them so they should be used wisely and converting the in a
form which is more environment friendly.