India’s plans to scale up fracking operations with out sturdy rules might spell catastrophe for the nation’s finely balanced water safety, in accordance with analysis from the College of Surrey.
India is positioning shale gasoline as a key transitional vitality supply and has introduced 56 fracking tasks throughout six states. Regardless of the promise of vitality independence, the brand new research seems to lift alarm bells concerning the nation’s preparedness to deal with the distinctive water dangers posed by fracking.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, entails injecting high-pressure fluid into shale rock to launch pure gasoline. This course of has been controversial worldwide as a result of its important environmental impacts, significantly on water assets. The research factors out that India’s regulatory framework for fracking is at present based mostly on guidelines designed for typical drilling processes, which don’t adequately deal with the distinct challenges fracking presents.
Shashi Kant Yadav, lead creator from the College’s College of Regulation, which has a specialism in environmental regulatory points, and his co-authors recognized 4 key fracking-specific water (FSW) points that want pressing consideration:
- Water contamination: Fracking fluids and the discharge of methane can contaminate groundwater provides.
- Water utilization: Fracking operations eat huge quantities of water, which might deplete native water provides.
- Wastewater administration: Dealing with and disposing of the contaminated water that returns to the floor is a posh problem.
- Water-induced seismicity: The injection of fracking fluids can set off earthquakes.
Drawing parallels with the US shale trade, the research maps these 4 FSW points to the regulatory responses noticed within the US. It highlights the gaps and inefficiencies within the Indian context, emphasising the necessity for a extra stringent regulatory strategy.
Within the US, the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) and numerous state-level our bodies have put contrasting rules in place – a number of the US states mitigate the environmental influence of fracking, whereas others encourage its industrial scaling. Mitigation measures embody monitoring of water high quality, necessary reporting of chemical compounds utilized in fracking fluids, and sturdy waste administration protocols.
Researchers argue that India ought to undertake related, if no more rigorous, measures to guard its extra under-strain water assets.
Shashi Kant Yadav, lead creator of the research from the College of Surrey, mentioned:
“Our analysis concludes with a stark warning: India should reassess the industrial scaling of fracking operations and conduct an intensive scientific inquiry into the potential impacts on water assets is performed. Moreover, our research requires a re-examination of each federal and state-level rules to make sure complete protection of all FSW points.
“This study is a wake-up call for policymakers. The potential for a significant environmental crisis is real and imminent if proactive steps are not taken. As India marches towards its energy goals, the balance between energy security and water security must not be overlooked.”
