The state of environment in Pakistan is "alarming" and is costing the country from US $1 billion to US $2.1 billion per year, which comes to 2.5 per cent to five per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). This was stated by Jamil Asghar Bhatti, project manager of the Solid Waste Management and Environment Enhancement Project , while quoting a World Bank report. Briefing the cohorts of Leadership for Environment and Development in Pakistan on "Amenities provided to urban settlements", Bhatti said the "Economic Survey of Pakistan 1997-98" also rates the environmental damage at three per cent to four per cent of the GDP. "The inadequate management of solid waste is among most visible and pressing, leading to unattractive environments, health and sanitation problems, blocked drains and rivers, and flooding," he said.
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