India is in the process of formulating a policy for exploring and extracting shale gas reserves found in the country. However, international experience suggests that shale gas extraction technologies come with some concerns regarding its impact on ground water quality. Prayas Energy Group, along with some civil society organizations working in the water sector, made a submission to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas highlighting some of these concerns and recommending that shale gas extraction should only be permitted after these concerns are addressed in a transparent and participative manner. 

Prayas Energy Group also prepared an indicative map showing areas of ground water scarcity in India overlaid with areas with potential for shale gas. This indicative map is intended to show the potential conflict areas in the country where shale gas extraction could pose a threat to water security as well as water quality. This map was shared with civil society organizations for use in their advocacy work.