We mustn’t allow fracking in Karoo

FRACKING must not be allowed to take place in the Karoo, or anywhere else in our country for that matter, but most especially the Karoo with its sensitive and unique environment, which would be devastated by the process. One does not have to be a geologist or a scientist to understand that this process is not a “harvesting of natural resources”, but a ruthless rape of the Earth.

By drilling deep holes in the earth and then pumping a high pressure mixture of water and chemicals deep down to fracture the layers of rock, to “hopefully” yield a source of gas, is too hit or miss and definitely uncontrolled, and by the very description of the process, primitive and without any idea of damage being done underground, or ability to correct mistakes made.

That the underground water sources would be endangered by this pro- cess is easy to believe and an almost certainty.

Economic benefits being promised by the oil companies will be short term and minimal for the majority of the population, while the destruction of habitat and environment permanent. Man has, in round about the last 200 years, succeeded in destroying much of the earth, due to his rapacious demand for resources and wealth.

We owe it to following generations to preserve and guard the environment, on our watch, so our children and their children can experience the space, peace, tranquility, beauty and solitude of the Karoo, which is right here on our doorstep.

People must stand up, get behind the campaigners against fracking and give support in whatever way they can.