Drakensberg region under fracking threat

It wouldn't happen within the UDP-WHS, it's all about the area around it. There is increasing awareness and talk of the Drakensberg Buffer Zone, which is in the process of being established. Its a concept which recognises that it isn't enough to simply conserve the park itself, but that the areas surrounding it need to be managed because they in turn affect the park. With the official establishment of the Buffer Zone getting closer, I'm curious to see how this will affect the plans for fracking. I think we need to oppose the fracking for two reasons: 1) It's impact on the greater Drakensberg region, and in turn on the Drakensberg itself 2) The general impact it will have on our drinking water, regardless of where they do it.

Some relevant info:

Management of the Park is guided by an Integrated Management Plan with subsidiary plans, and is undertaken in accordance with the World Heritage Convention Act, 1999 (Act No. 49 of 1999); National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act 57 of 2003); National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of 2004); KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Amendment Act (No 5 of 1999); World Heritage Convention Operational Guidelines; and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife policies. In terms of these legislation, all development within or outside the property is subjected to an Environmental Impact Assessment, which considers the Outstanding Universal Value of the property. In addition all World Heritage Sites are recognized as protected areas, meaning that mining or prospecting will be completely prohibited from taking place within the property or the proclaimed buffer zone. Furthermore, any unsuitable development with a potential impact on the property will not be permitted by the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs who is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

whc.unesco.org/en/list/985

Was wondering about that buffer zone too.

Only when the last tree has died
and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught
will we realise we cannot eat money.

Cree Indian Proverb