Drakensberg region under fracking threat

I was impressed that the government imposed a moratorium on drilling the Karoo so that they could become better informed on the matter. I was not so impressed that the "desktop" prospecting was allowed and that it seems they and the companies involved wanted to keep this quiet. Seems all too typical.

We can learn a lot from what develops in the Karoo. There are apparently also comprehensive studies in the making which hopefully will help in the cause against fracking.

Right now there is little to go by. The word is just that the prospecting is being done in an area which includes the Berg, but not many seem know more details than that, and those that do are not sharing them.

We definitely need to be informed on the matter and if it gets that far, yes, we'll have to stir up a campaign to keep fracking well away from the Berg. This initial article should only be the begining and discussions will have to be ongoing.

Ultimately this is yet another good reason to get the ball rolling on getting more protection on the entire Drakensberg and neighbouring areas of Lesotho. The current declared wilderness areas, World Hertiage Status and trans-frontier area are great, but not enough. We also need more biospheres, conservancies and official buffer zones surrounding the Berg. Even if it takes more than a decade to get there, it'll be worth it.

I just stumbled onto this article about KZN Wildlife's biodiversity stewardship program, in which landowners can retain rights to their land, yet afford it a degree of conservation status. This is possibly one strategy to control where fracking can be done, and certainly something which will afford the Drakensberg a protective buffer zone in general.
www.kznwildlife.com/images/stories/2011%20oct%2022%20mpushini.jpg

A group of concerned individuals and organisations are, under the banner of Wildlands Trust, presenting a series of information-sharing talks this coming weekend. The schedules are:

- Nottingham Road Hotel: 3 December at 12h00

- Cowan House School, Hilton: 3 December at 18h00

- Wildlands Oasis, Durban: 5 December at 18h00

The talks are presented by Jonathan Deal, the Chairman of the Treasure Karoo Action Group and an authority on the environmental implications of fracking.

Contact Bruce Houghting (082 402 5654) for further information.

In anyone from this forum is able to attend one of the talks it would be great! Please bring back as much info as possible in any form.

Sterkhorn was able to attend one of the talks and sent me some of the material. I'll figure out how to best present some of the stuff on this site, but I've attached a pamphlet for starters.

The presenter was of the opinion that if fracking is not stopped in the Karoo it will set the precedent for the rest of the country and could allow operations up too 500m from the Drakensberg Park boundary. They are preparing for a possible challenge in the Constitutional Court if the government cannot be dissuaded from allowing exploration. News is that Sasol has apparently pulled out of the explorations.

Check out the Treasure Karoo Action Group website:
www.treasurethekaroo.co.za/
Along with all the info they also have an online petition going, which everyone is encouraged to sign.