Farmers in South Africa's Karoo region fear fracking could devastate their environment in the face of a desperate need for alternative energy supplies to fuel its growing economy.

Using a process called hydraulic fracturing, one drills into the ground - then horizontally as small explosions pierce the shale rock. Water, sand and chemicals are then forced into the rock to release the gas.
But fracking is controversial and locals are concerned about what impact that is going to have on the environment.

Oil companies insist that drilling for gas in Africa's largest economy will bring jobs and development -- without destroying the environment.

Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa reports from the Karoo.