Just to meet the demand for firewood in a sustainable manner would require an additional 51,000 hectares of forest. The growing scarcity of forest products led to the doubling of lumber imports between 1991-1996. Soil Deterioration Studies indicate that between one fourth and one third of the country's farmlands suffer from high rates of soil erosion. Recent interviews with farmers indicate that 37 percent expect lower future yields due to soil erosion. Closely linked with deforestation and soil erosion is the degradation of rivers and lake basins.
Most surface water is used to assimilate municipal and industrial waste.
Under-ground water is being used at an unsustainable rate. Many rivers, in addition to their alarming contamination levels, are gradually experiencing a reduction in water flow rates. Water and Air Pollution Water Ninety percent of all rivers in the country suffer from some degree of contamination. All rivers of importance receive growing volumes of untreated sewerage from the main urban centers. In addition, rivers also receive untreated waste water from industry.