The establishment of this proposed ‘Dark Sky Reserve’ in Hanle, Ladakh in Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary will be completed in the next three months. The main purpose is to boost and promote astro-tourism associated with observing the stars in the sky through telescopes.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Bengaluru and the Ladakh Administration and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh.
A dark sky reserve is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory, that restricts artificial light pollution.The goals of this Dark Sky Reserve are to promote protection of nocturnal habitats and to promote eco tourism. Equipped with optical, infra-red and gamma-ray telescopes, it will be one of the tallest places in the world. Hanle’s clear sky conditions and dry weather throughout the year makemake it a suitable location for the project.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Space gave this information. He recently met the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, R.K. Meet Mathur.
It is being established by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. A new beginning is being made to promote night tourism in Ladakh. Now Night Sky Sanctuary is being established there.
From this sanctuary, you can gaze at the stars in a pollution-free sky. The Milky Way can be seen through this. Scientific methods will be used to preserve the night sky from ever-increasing light pollution.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed the Lt Governor of Ladakh that from next year the Department of Science and Technology will set up a separate and spacious pavilion for the Ladakh Education Fair, which will be an annual facility. He said that the Department of Science and Technology would actively participate in the selection of right subjects, scholarships, career guidance, skill development and training with special focus on employability skills of the youth.