Natural Resources
Plants, Trees, Minerals and Water which Allah has created are sufficient for human beings as well as animals. They are called natural resources.

Some Important Natural Resources
The natural resources are rivers, oceans, forests, minerals, fertile plains etc.

Importance of Natural Resources
Gift of Allah
Allah has gifted us with all kinds of resources. Pakistan has mountains, plains, deserts, rivers, fertile soil, ocean etc. Our country is rich in natural resources. Natural resources are necassary for National Development. Natural resources are very important for the development and prosperity of any county. The important thing is that low to utilize them for the welfare of the human beings and development of the country economically.

It is necassary to use the Natural Resources
The population of Pakistan is increasing rapidly. It is a very good sign that the people of Pakstan are working hard sincerely for the development of country and government is also working for the progess and prosperity of Pakistan. We should have to use the national and human resources to the maximum to develop our country so we can acheive an important position in the world.

Basic Components of Soil
Soil has three basic components.
1. Solid particles like salt, mineral and organic matter.
2. Air.
3. Water.

Importance of Soil
The kind of soil totally depends upon climate, location, vegetation and rock material. The agriculture of a country depends upon her soil's structure and kinds. Soil is a gift of nature.

Alluvium
Those materials which are transported from one place to another by rivers and deposited at other places are called alluvium.

Aeolian Soil
Similarly wind also transports the material from one place to another which is deposited over the surface that is called Aeolian Soil.

Classification of Soils
The soil of Pakistan may be classified according to the regional basis.

Indus basin Soils
The indus plain is made with the deposition of alluvium by the indus river its tributaries. For the last thousands of years rivers have been depositing the soil in the form of layers. These soils have more calcium carbonate and less organic matter. These soils are divided into three main categories.

Bongar Soils
Bongar soils cover a vast area of indus plain. The area includes most of the part of Punjab, Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu and Kachhi plain. A major part of the province of sindh is also comprised of these soils. Some of these soils are rich and irrigated give very good production. Usually these soils are far from the present rivers beds.

Khaddar Soils
Khaddar soils are also formed along the rivers. So every year new layer of salt clay is deposited. These soils have low content of organic matter and salt.

Indus Delta Soils
These soils cover the river Indus Delta. They extent from Hyderabad to the south coastal area. Most of the soils is clay and developed under floodwater. Rice is cultivated in the major part of these soils.

Mountain Soils
These soils mostly cover the highlands of northern and western areas of Pakistan. The soils of northern mountainous areas have high content of organic matters because the climate is moist. Whereas the soils of western mountainous areas have high content of calcium carbonate and low content of organic matter because the climate of these areas is arid and semi-arid. The soils of Pothwar plateau have high lime content. They are productive when plenty of water is available.

Sandy Desert Soils
The soils cover the western areas of Balochistan, Cholistan and the desert of Thar in Pakistan. They are formed by layers of sand particles. They have moderate quantity of calcium carbonate. They are made of disposition of sandy soil layer by layer Arid and semi-arid type of climate effect these soils. So the economic activities are very low in deserts.

Forest and their Importance
Types of Forests in Pakistan
Evergreen Forests
There are evergreen forests in northern and north-western parts of Pakistan, as these areas receive more rainfall. Beautiful scenes attract human beings. In this way forest are the means of beauty and attraction. These forest include deodar, firs, blue pine, spruce, chalghoza, oak, chestnut and walnut are also important. These are found in Murree, Mansehra, Abbotabad, Chitral, Swat and Dir Hardwood for the making of furniture is available from these trees.

Foot-Hill Areas Forests
Phulai, Kao, Jand, Acacia, wild olive, black berry etc are found in the foothill areas of these forests. The district of Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Attock, Rawalpindi, Jhelum and Guj rat are important in this respect.

Dry-Hill Forests
The dry-hill forests are found at altitude of about 900 to 3000 meters in Quetta and kalat division of Balochistan. Other than thorny forests Mazoo, Chaighoza and poplar are important trees.

Miscellaneous Forests
Some of the forests are found in Sukkur, Kotri and Guido. The forests department plants trees like mulberry, sum bal, dhrek and eucalyptus along the rivers, canals and railway lines.

Mangrove Forests
Mangrove forests are found along the coastline from Karachi to Kutch.

Importance of Forests
Forest plan an important role being a natural resource in the development af a country as explained below.

Slow Melting of Ice and Soil Erosion
Rain and snow in heavy quantity fall on the northern mountains of Pakistan. These areas are the main source of water of rivers. The forest also stop soil erosion as they slow down the speed of rainwater on the slopes of mountains. They also irrigate teh plains regularly.

Forest provide Fuel
Forest provide wood as fuel in place of coal. They also provide timber, firewood, gum and other useful things which are very important for the trade of country.

Pleasant Climate
Forest make the climate of an area very pleasant as they reduce heat and pollution.

Rainfall
Temperature is reduced by forests and air becomes moist. Rainfall in a region increases due to presence of forests.

Fertility of Soil
Forest keep the soil intact and soil fertility remains uneffected.

Stopage of sand and silt
Rivers carry huge amount of sand and silt that fill our dams and lakes and destroy hydroelectric power projects, the presence of forests stop the sand and silt.

Water Logging and Salinity
Forests are very useful in water logged and salinity effected areas. Trees absorbs water from the soil and lower water level of underground reserves. The forests ate useful in stopping of floods and safety of dams.

Tourism
Forests promote tourism. There are many places in the northern and north-western mountainious areas of Pakistan. Which are covered with forests and known for recreations for the peoples.

Wild LIfe
Forests are very important for wild life. In forests animals of hunting are found from which we get meat. In this way forest are the source of the hunting and also act as places of recreation.

Employment
Forests provide employment to a large part of population in Pakistan.

Fruits and Fodder
Forests provide different kinds of fruits and fodder to animals.

Imporatant role in Economy
Forests plays an important role in the economy of Pakistan. About five million people are directly or indirectly engaged in this sector we can get building, wood from forests. This wood is used in building and also used in the preparation of furniture.

Herbs
The herbs grown in forests are used for the preparation of medicines.

Forest department of Pakistan
Role of Forests Department
Government has formed Forests Department for looking after forests and preparing new forests and due to it there is a good increase in the number of forests every year. Forests are necassary for the economic progress of a progress. According to experts 25% area of a country should be consisted of forests for a balanced economy. Unfortunately our forests make 3.6% of the total area of Pakistan which is 19 crore and 70 lac square acre forests cover an area of 72 lac acres. By decrease in the amount of water, the vegetation decreases gradually.
Our Government is trying to increase the forests and has taken following steps.
1. Establishing nurseries in all big cities where plants are available.
2. Tree plantation weeks.
3. Newspaper, magazines, radio and TV provide necassary information and guidance to the people and     pursue them to plant trees.

Minerals of Pakistan
Important Minerals
There are three types of minerals.
Metallic Minerals
1. Iron ore.
2. Chromites.
3. Copper etc.

Non-Metallic Minerals
1. Rock Salt.
2. Limestone.
3. Gypsum.
4. Marble, Gemstone, China Clay, Fire Clay, Sulphure etc.

Power Resource Minerals
1. Coal.
2. Natural Gas.
3. Crude Oil etc.

Coal
We have not yet discovered coal which can be used in engines. It is mostly used in manufacturing Calcium Carbonate and bricks. Some coal is also used in homes. We have got coal from various spots places but it is not of good quality. It fulfils 10% of our needs.
Places
The biggest mines of coal is Salt Ranges in Kohistan in the region of Makarwat in Punjab. In these regions coal is also found in Dundot and Pudh. Like Makarwal some mines are such whose tunnels are about nine miles long. In the province of Balochistan many reservoirs are found at other places. Coalmines are in Sharg, Hoset, Hernai, Sar, Dagari, Sheeren Aab, Bolan, Aab and Mush. Processing plant is also set in Shargh. In the lower regions of Sindh mines of Jhimpir and Lakhra are important. Government is in search of more mines.

Mineral Oil
Minerals oil is very important in modern age. It is used in factories, industries and transport. Motorcars, tractors, train truck etc depending upon this oil. It is also used in homes. Average production of oil in Pakistan cannot meet its needs. We are getting 10% oil for our needs and the rest of the oil is imported on which we spend a large amount of foreign exchange. Experts say that at certain we can get oil from the sea. For this purpose we started digging in 1985 at the coast of our sea in Karachi. At certain other places are digging our earth. If we succeed we shall satisfy our need of oil from our our resources.
Places
We are getting oil from Khor, Bhullian, Tut, Kot Sarug, Miyal, Dherznund (District Attock), Kazian (District Rawalpindi), Dhodak (District Dera Ghazi Khan), Kursal ( District Jhelum), and Khushkhali (District Badeen). The oil obtained from Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal districts is refined in Morgah Refinery near Rawalpindi. Refinery means the industry where crude oil is refined for different purposes.

Natural Gas
Natural gas is an important discovery. We meet 35% of our need of energy from this gas. This gas is brought in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Peshawar and other cities by means of pipelines. This gas is used in Industries and also in our homes as fuel. Fine type of fertilizer is prepared in Multan by using this gas. This gas is aslo used in manufacturing Rayon thread and Chemical materials.
Places
The reservoirs of natural gas are in Sui, Uch, Zin, Kherpur, Muzrani, Hindi, Kundkot, Sarung, Dhodak, Peerkoh and Dhullian.

Iron Ore
Iran ore is very important for the progress of a country. We have set up a steel mill in Karachi with the cooperation of Russia. In Pakistan, iron is not of good quality so it is imported to meet our needs.
Places
The biggest reservoir of iron is found in Kala Bagh. Some are also found in Chitral, Khuzdar, Chulgari and Muslim Bagh. Iron obtained from Chitral and Nokundi is of good quality. Our iron fulfills only 16% of our needs.

Copper
It is used in manufacturing electric goods especially electric wires. In past it was only used in making coins and utensils.
Places
Its reservoirs are in provinces of Balochistan and Frontier. In Balochistan it is found in Saindak, Chaghi and some other places. These reservoirs are refined by progressive corporation of natural resources. Corporation is working on this plan with cooperation of foreign experts. The work has been started on crude metal in Saindak and Karachi Laboratory.

Saindak Copper Project
In Balochistan, large deposits of copper, gold and silver have been discovered at saindak, Chagai and Amuri. The economy of Pakistan is depended on these projects. China is collaborating with Pakistan on these projects. According to an estimate saindak will give annual production as below.
Copper = 16,000 Tones
Gold = 1.5 Tones
Silver = 2.75 Tones

Chromite
It is a white metal which is used to make iron. It is also used in manufacturing certain instruments, aero planes and colours. It is also used in the art of photography. It is exported to get large amount of foreign exchange.
Places
Its reservoirs are the biggest of the world in found Pakistan. Theses reservoirs are found in Muslim Bagh. Small reservoirs are found in Chaghi, Kharan, Malakand, Mehmund and North Waziristan.

Rock Salt (Non-Metallic)
Pakistan has vast reserves of salt. It is used in various eatables, the biggest is Khewra Mine. The area of this mine is about 10500 square meters. It is producing high quality of salt from centuries. Another mine is in Khushah. We aslo get salt from mines of Kala Bagh, Jutta and Bahadur Khail. We get salt from seawater near Maripur and Coast of Makran. This sea salt is used to preserve fish and is in some industrial uses. The annual production during the year 2000-01 was 1275 tonnes.

Lime Stone
Limestone is very useful raw material for cement industry. It is found in the northern and western mountain areas of Pakistan mostly. Large deposits are found in Daudthail, Wah, Rohri, Hyderabad and Karachi. The annual production of limestone is 9.9 thousand tonnes.

Gypsum
It is a bright stone of white colour. It is an important wealth of our country. It is used in manufacturing cement, chemical fertilizer and plaster of Paris, Sulphuric Acid and Ammonium Sulphate. It is also used in small industries. The annual production of Gypsum is 358.5 thousand tonnes approximately.

Places
It is obtained from Salt range and western mountainous areas of Pakistan. The important mines of Gypsum are in Khewra, Dandot, Daudkhail, Rohri and Kohat.

Marble
It is a very beautiful stone of white or black colour. It is used in the floores or walls of building to make them attractive and beautiful. A large quantity of white and black marble is found in Cambelpur near Faith Jung in Kala Chitta Hills. District Muzaffarabad and Mirpur of Azad Kashmir are other important areas where marble is found. The annual production of marble is 586.6 thousand tonnes.

Places
In our country marble is of various types. The best in Khyber Agency at Mullah Gori. It is Swat, Noshera, Hazara, Gilgit and Chaghi.

Sulphur
It is the necassary part of explosive material. It is very important for the defence of a country. It is also used in making Sulphuric Acid and many other chemicals. We get crude Sulphur which is made useful by our experts. Soon we will be able to meet our needs of Sulphur. After cleaning Sulphur, it is also used chemical industries. Industries are being set up in Quetta and Karachi.

Places
Its reserves are found in Koh-e-Sultan (District Chaghi) and (District Karachi).

China Clay
China clays is found in Mangora (District Swat) and Nagar Parkar (Sindh).

Fire Clay
It is used in making strong bricks which is used in Kiln of bricks.
Places
It is found in Kohistan Nimak and Kala Citta Hills. Its reserves also are found in Swat, Hazara and Malakand. In Pakistan clay making Chini utensils are also found. This clay is also used in making tiles and sanitary ware. Its reserves are in Swat, Hazara and Malakund.

Calcium Carbonate
It is used in manufacturing cement, sugar and certain other materials. It is also used for the preparation of white wash stone by burning it.
Places
Its reservoirs are found in several parts of our country. Its vast reservoirs are Dandot, Daudkhail, Wah, Rohri, Hyderabad and Karachi.

Agricultural problems in Pakistan
Old Types of Agricultural Instruments
In small field's modern equipment cannot be used. Due to poverty we cannot use modern equipment. Tractors are not commonly used. We do not know much about modern equipments and scientific methods of agriculture hance production per acre less.
Reforms
Our farmers should know about the modern research in the field and should adopt modern scientific methods of agriculture.

Lack of Agricultural Education
Due to lack of modern education, our farmers use old methods and equipments. They do not use new seeds and fertilizers.
Reforms
Farmers should be educated through print and electronic media about agriculture.

Limited Area
The reason of less agricultural production is that our farmers have little amount of land. This is because the number of farmers is increasing with the increase in population.
Reforms
The scattered pieces of land should be converted into big units.

Barren Land
There is very little rainfall in our country. It rainfall is in the time and enough we can get enough crops.
Reforms
There should be introduced reforms in the system of irrigation. New canals should be dug.

Problems of Water Logging and Salinity
It is the major problem of Pakistan especially in certain parts of Sindh. Most parts of Sindh are suffering from this disease. According to an estimate about one lac acre land has become useless due to this problem.
Reforms
There should be planned programmes on national level to reduce this danger.

Insects and Crop Disease
In our lands insects and crops diseases destroy plenty of our crops.
Reforms
Pesticides should be sprayed at the proper time. There should be research work on drops to control these diseases.

Cutting Action on Land
It happens due to storms and heavy rainfall.
Reforms
There should be special arrangements for this problem and chemical fertilizers should be used to enhance the fertility of the soil.

Inferior Seeds and Fertilizers
Our farmers are not familiar with the methods of preserving seeds and using the right amount of fertilizers.
Shortage of Money
Due to lack of money average production is much effected. Our farmers are under the influence of loans so they cannot give full intention to their props. They are always worried about the return of loans.
Reforms
If our farmers get loan on less credit and on easy soft conditions.

Zamindara System
This system in Pakistan has many defects. Land owners hand over their land to tenant who do not take interest in producing more crops. They link that the main part of their crop will be taken by the owner of the land. This effects our average produce very badly.
Reforms
Landlords should take interest in the bussiness. Tenants should be given proper profit and right.

Lack of Medical Facilities
Our farmers is often found suffering from certain medical problems. He is often offering from various diseases due to low standard of living.
Reforms
There must be enough hospitals in the village from the farmers should get proper medical facilities.

Transportation Problems
By insufficient means of transportation farmers cannot bring their production to markets at the right time.
Reforms
Means of transportation should be improved and go downs in a large number are being constructed.

Irrigation and its Importance
Means of Irrigation
Following are the means of irrigation.

Canals
Pakistan is irrigated by five rivers which are Ravi, Satluj, Jhelum, Chenab and Indus. From these rivers canals have been dug. These are very suitable canals for two points of view. Firstly, these rivers come back from ice covered mountains and flow throughout the year. Secondly, they have the same slope.

Wells
Rainwater which goes down in our land is collected in the rocks below. In this way a large reserve of water is formed down in the earth. Wells are made to use this water for irrigation. In Punjab a large number of wells have been dug, especially in Tehsil Shakarghar (District Narowal), Gujrat, Lahore and Dera Ghazi Khan Districts. Adequate Irrigation is done by wells. In the valley of Peshawar also irrigation is done by wells. Due to enough rainfall water is not low therefore wells are easily dug.

Tube Wells
In the villages where the facility of electricity is available water is drawn out by electric pumps. In this way more water is obtained from wells. So we get more benefits by tube wells.

Dams/Ponds
At many places water collected in ponds. Rain water is collected in them and is used in the hours of need. In the same way in mountain areas, small dams are made to stop water in small canals. Then small canals are dug to bring this water in the fields. These dams are made in less high areas. At some distance from Islamabad, Rawal Dam is made in the same way. By making many such dams in Punjab in the districts of Attock, Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan the deficiency of water has been removed. Similar types of other dams are in provinces of Frontier and Balochistan.

Karez
In Pakistan Balochistan is more hot and dry. There is little rainfall small canals become dry in summer due to intencse heat. For irrigation underground houses are made to save water from being absorbed and evaporated. Water is drawn out with the help of Persian wheels and brought to fields.

Importance of Irragation
Irrigation means the artificial way of watering the crops. Irrigation is very important for Pakistan.We have little rainfall therefore we get the help of irrigation in preparing our crops. The progress of our country depends upon the means of irrigation and their progress. All parts except northern mountains depends upon irrigation. 67% of our land is irrigated due to little rainfall. The most important means of our irrigation is our system of canals. Our canals irrigate 70% of our lands while 14% is left for tube-wells, Persian wheels Karez and ponds.

Important Canals of Pakistan
River Indus, Jhelum and Chenab are the math sources of water for Pakistan. These rivers have maximum quantity of water during summer but minimum during winter season 84% of the total water flows in these rivers in summer.

The Canals of River Ravi
Upper Ban Doab and lower Ban Doab are two important canals of river Ravi. These canals are very important for the production of summer crops. The upper Bari Doab is and old canal which was constructed in 1868.

The Canals of River Chenab
The upper Chenab and lower Chenab irragate the area of Rachna Doab. The haveli system of canals is also located in this Doab that comes out from Trimmu Head Works.

The Canals of River Jhelum
Chaj Doab has two important canals i.e. upper Jhelum and lower Jhelum. These canals irrigate a large part of the Triple Canal Project and have increased agricultural production. These two canals along with lower Ban Doab link the three rivers i.e. Jhelum Chenab and Ravi.

The Canals of River Sutlej
There are three Head Works on river Sutlej i.e. Feroze-Wala, Sulaimanki and Islam, whereas fourth is on the Puhjnad. These canals irrigate the area of Nili Bar and Bahawalpur.

The Canals of River Indus
The canals from Jinnah Barrage near Kalabagh irrigate the desert area of Thar for agricultural purpose. Districts of D.G. Khan and D.I. Khan are irrigated by a link canal from Chashma barrage, Taunsa barrage and Guddu barrage also have canals which irrigate vast areas. Following are imporatant canals from river Indus for NWFP.
1. The Canal of River Swat.
2. The Canal from Swat River Irrigates.
3. The Peshawar area.
4. The Warsak Project.
A project in the north west of Peshawar at Warsak is important for the local requirments of the region.

Importance of Power Resources
Power resources play a vital role in the industrial economic development of a country. Pakistan has blessed with power resource. These resources remained unexploited over the years. These resources are required to be filly exploited with the increase in Population so that economy and industry of the country may progress with speed.

Power Resources
1. Hydroelectricity
2. Thermal Electricity
3. Solar Energy
4. Atomic Energy

Hydro Electricity
Nature has provided suitable environment in Pakistan. To produce hydroelectricity environment is better for it. The northern and north western area of Pakistan are suitable for building of dams. We can produce hydroelectricity to create steep slopes in rivers and canals.

Best Example of Hydroelectricity
The best example is the Ghazi Barotha project in river Indus.

To Produce Hydroelectricity
Both public and private sectors have planned to increase the production of hydroelectricity in Pakistan.

Hydroelectricity Production
Pakistan's total hydroelectricity production is 4963 Megawatt.Pakistan has the capacity of production of 30000 MW from its river Indus, Helium and Chenab.

Important Hydroelectricity Stations
There are three imporatant hydroelectricity stations working in Pakistan.

Tarbela Dam
This dam is situated on Indus River.

Production of Hydroelectricity
The Tarbela dam produces 70% of the total hydroelectricity production of Pakistan. Its installed generation capacity is 3478 MW.

Construction of Dam
The Tarbela Dam was constructed in 1976 and its cost was about Rs.18 billions. This dam is about 9000 feet long. The Tarbela is one of the biggest dams of the world.

Mangla Dam
This dam is located on Jhelum River.

Production of Hydroelectricity
This dam installed generation capacity of power is 1000 MW which is 20% of total hydroelectricity of the country.

Construction of Mangla Dam
This dam was constructed and completed in 1967 the height of this dam is 110 meters. This dam is made of concrete. This is second biggest dam in Pakistan.

Thermal Electricity
The Thermal power stations are generating electricity by gas, oil and coal in Pakistan.

Production of Thermal
The 49.8% of the total electricity is produced by the thermal power. The thermal power production is 4921 MW in Pakistan.

Power Stations
There are 13 thermal power stations working in Pakistan. The biggest station is working in Karachi this station generates 1756 MW. The second biggest station is working in Multan. It generates 260 MW.

Important Thermal Stations
Other important thermal plants are in Faisalabad, Kotri, Pasni, Guddu, Jamshoro, Muzaffargarh, Sukkur and Larkana etc.

Future Plans
A large number of projects have been planned to meet future energy requirments of Pakistan. This project is working rapidly. If this project work better than our country will make progress by leaps and bounds.

Solar Energy
The energy that we get from sun is called solar energy. The climate of Pakistan is extremely hot and dry. Pakistan is situated near the Tropic of cancer so the sun rays are vertical most of the year. These days are hot. That's why the season of summer is longer than winter in Pakistan. The sun rises most time. We can use this energy to the maximum in life. This is the cheapest source of energy.

Use of Solar Energy
In Pakistan we have abundance of this energy but the important thing is the maximum use of it. This energy is used to operate small machines and motor in future the solar energy will become the biggest source of energy of the world because other sources of energy are costly and difficult to exploit.

Atomic Energy
Advance Sources
Atomic energy is the advance source of this world. Altough this source of energy is very sophisticated and multi disciplinary system. As the rapid growth of population sources are also increasing at the same rate. That's why it is an important source of energy in developing coutries.

Pakistan is an Atomic Power
By the grace of Allah Pakistan has become a great Atomic Power. Pakistan has operated Atomic blasts in Chagi in Balochistan on 28 May 1998. Pakistan had to face many difficulties to achieve progress in the atomic program.

Nuclear Power Technology
Nuclear Power technology was introduced in Pakistan in 1971 when a plant of 136 MW capacity namely Karachi. Nuclear power plant (KANUPP) was installed. This plant has been operating safely for more than 31 years. IN other important Cheshma nuclear power project is also working with the help of China. This has been connected to the national grid on June 13 2000. It has a gross capacity of 325 MW and is located near Cheshma Barrage on left bank of river Indus.

Human Resources
Natural Resources
The economic development of a country totally depends upon natural resources. The exploitation of natural resources and their usefulness depends upon the efforts of human beings.

Population of Pakistan
The population of Pakistan has gone beyond 150 millions which has made Pakistan seven biggest country in the world. To meet the needs of growing population we have to increase our agricultural production.

Self Sufficient
By the grace of Allah our economy is progressing to gain self sufficiency. Moreover some excess production of grains is exported to earn foreign exchange.Education is required to be developed on modern, lines. Modern techniques and research can accelerate the progress of agriculture and industry.

OverCome to Over-Crowed Population
The alarming situation is the rate of growth of population which is more than that of the production of natural resources. This thing effects the economic growth of the country. Through accelerated exploitation of existing energy resources, we can promote economy of the country.