ECONOMIC LOSS

All of the above environmental issues combined with certain others mean that Pakistan is swiftly heading towards more economic instability.

Due to environmental degradation and poor resource management Pakistan continues to suffer economic loss. The impacts of degradation and biodiversity loss on productivity and public health are in the tune of 3% of GDP per year. This however is a conservative estimate and it would be higher if toxic waste disposal, biodiversity, river and coastal resource depletion were taken into account. Health problems due to polluted water have the economic cost of $ 750 million per annum approximately. This combined with air pollution leads to a cost of $ 1.05 billion. Moreover, for an agricultural country, water is of immense economic value. The agriculture sector has been growing at the rate of 20 % for the past 20 years, but this is heading towards a downfall because water and land have been overused and wasted. Loss of productivity and health problems related to water is around 68% of the total negative impact of environmental degradation.

The productivity lost as a result of land degradation is US $ 353 mil/year, according to estimates (Environment Prof.1998). Estimated loss of rangeland productivity is between US $ 90 - 160 million/year. Forests are also of great agricultural importance and their continuous destruction is causing a substantial loss. Forestry had a share of 1.3% in agriculture and 0.3 % in the GDP in 2002-2003.

Fisheries are of great commercial importance as well forming the fourth largest export from the country. Shrimp export form 80% of the total fish exports. The decline in their populations because of pollution and over-fishing is likely to cost the country dearly. 40 species of fish recorded at the coast are considered of economic importance. The amount earned from the export of fish in 1996-1997 was US $ 140 million. However, the situation is now quite aggravating. If the unchecked fishing continues and the pollution is not abated Pakistan is likely to suffer huge monetary losses, something it cannot afford.

Certain other issues of extreme importance in Pakistan also have an impact on the environment. Among these the prominent ones are poverty, urban migration and the growing population.