People will soon be able to witness the dazzling night sky, full of distant stars, planets and nebulas, in India itself, at the Ladakh is all set to house country’s first-ever ‘Night Sky Sanctuary’. The establishment will be a part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh. Moreover, the launch of a ‘Dark Sky Reserve’ in Hanle is also proposed in order to boost Astro tourism in India.
Hanle, the most optimal spot for Dark Sky Reserve
Authorities and various scientific bodies are also planning to set up India’s first ‘Dark Sky Reserve’ in the Hanle region of Ladakh, which will be one of the highest located sites in the world for making astronomical observations.
A Dark Sky Reserve is a designated space for astronomical observation and research which has certain policies in place to keep interference of artificial light on a minimal level in order to keep the night-sky pristine. Hanle is considered the most optimal site for the establishment of a Dark Sky Reserve as the place is about 4,500 metres above sea level and is situated in the freezing desert region of Ladakh, because of which it is completely away from any kind of human interference.
Moreover, Hanle already is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory and the world’s highest gamma-ray telescope.
A joint endeavour of authorities, leading scientific bodies of the country
The administration of Union Territory, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) signed a tripartite MoU for launching the Dark Space Reserve.
Reportedly, the Dark Space Reserve will be launched in a period of the next three months and will help in boosting local tourism by the means of technological and scientific interventions.
