Draft environmental profile of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan

This report reviews information available in the United States on the status of Pakistan"s environment and natural resources. The report"s initial section provides a general overview of Pakistan"s geography and climate, population characteristics, and land use practices. Section two details the country"s mineral, energy, soil, water, and vegetation resources. Specific government agencies, as well as pertinent legislation and policy, are outlined for each resource. Four environmental problem areas are identified. (1) Water-related problems, the most serious being waterlogging, salinity, and sedimentation have been caused by poor drainage of irrigated land, unlined canals, and the proliferation of canals, dams, and barrages. Flooding, drought, and water/ marine pollution are additional concerns. (2) Rural environmental problems include natural disasters, underuse and misuse of lands, and excessive pesticide use, but deforestation and desertification caused by conversion of land to agriculture are of most concern. These result in gully and topsoil erosion, increased flooding, destruction of faunal habitats, elimination of natural predators of pests, and eventual abandonment of the land. In addition, overgrazing is rapidly reducing the potential of Pakistan"s vast rangelands. (3) Urban environmental problems include increased industrial and noise pollution, but the greatest concern is for the dramatic increase in malaria after a period of apparent control in the late 1960"s. Mosquitoes are becoming more resistant to insecticides and their breeding places are increased by irrigation projects. (4) Environmental management problems include interagency rivalry, inefficiency, manpower shortages, and communication problems among government environmental agencies. Public apathy also interferes with effective control. Appendices include overviews of Pakistan"s demography, economy, and environmental legislation, and a 104-item bibliography (1966-80).