https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Ladakh, First in the Country, to Promote Astro Tourism through Hanle Dark Sky Reserve Project

Now people can visit Ladakh for an unimaginable experience of witnessing the celestial bodies
Indian Masterminds Stories

For the first time in the country a Dark Sky Reserve project has been launched to promote Astro tourism. Called Hanle Dark Sky Reserve Project, it is the result of an MoU between the Administration of UT Ladakh, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, and Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Department of Wildlife Protection, UT of Ladakh with support from Government of India, United Nations Development Programme, Global Environment Facility and SECURE Himalaya Project.

MoU signed between Administration of UT Ladakh, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, and Indian Institute of Astrophysics

Spread across an area of over 1000 sq. Km, the first Dark Sky Reserve of India will allow for reduced night pollution, improved livelihoods of local communities by promoting Astro-tourism, and conservation of wildlife in the Hanle village cluster of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.

HANLE VILLAGE

Hanle has been a site for astronomical research since the setting up of India Astronomical Observatory under Indian Institute of Astrophysics since 2000. Hanle is a village cluster consisting of six hamlets situated inside the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary in south-western Ladakh.

Animals in Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated at an elevation of 4500 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest places in the country and across the world to observe celestial bodies and collect scientific data in the quest to improve the knowledge about the universe.

Mr. Pankaj Raina (SFS), Wildlife Warden, Ladakh told Indian Masterminds, “Being a cold dessert, Ladakh has minimal moisture in the air. Additionally, Hanle and the area around it experiences mostly cloudless nights and extremely low precipitation throughout the year improving both the quality and experience of viewing of celestial bodies.”

LIGHT MANAGEMENT PLAN

In order to mitigate light pollution in the area, a Light Management Plan has been designed by Indian Institute of Astrophysics which includes procurement, distribution, and installation of equipment to reduce and control the light pollution in Hanle. This includes warm-coloured lights, lamp shades, and curtains. The procurement has been completed through financial support from the Administration of UT Ladakh, and installation is presently being carried out in public areas, and residences of the village.

Amazing view of the Dark Sky in Hanle

INVOLVING COMMUNITY

18 telescopes have been procured in the first phase with support from the UT Administration for installation across the six hamlets of Hanle.

In order to develop local guides and impart scientific curiosity amongst local communities, a training workshop was organised by Indian Institute of Astrophysics to develop capacities within residents of these villages to use the telescopes and inform tourists of celestial bodies visible through this equipment.

Training session of locals in Hanle village of Ladakh

Apart from this, five astrodomes are being constructed at different sites at Hanle, namely Bugshodo, Pungug, Khaldo, Naga and the place near Hanle monastery. Mr. Pankaj said, “During the windy nights, this astrodome will give space to 50 people who can do all type of activities and get a high-end experience.”

The astrodomes, or an enclosed stadium covered with glass will allow people to sit and look at the celestial bodies.

The wildlife department is also helping in upgrading the homestays of the local people in Hanle so that tourists can have a quality experience while living in these areas.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CM yogi
UP: CM Yogi Inaugurates Two New Kalyan Mandaps in Gorakhpur, Emphasizes Accessible Celebration Spaces- Full Details Inside
406951-supreme-court-of-india-sc
National Security at Risk: Centre Opposes Supreme Court Ruling Curtailing IPS Deputation in CAPFs, Says IPS Presence is Crucial
sbk-singh-1753948795
IPS SBK Singh Appointed as Delhi’s New DG of Prisons After Brief Police Commissioner Stint
D
PNB Housing Finance Appoints D. Surendran as Non-Executive Nominee Director; Brings 35 Years of Banking Experience - Know More About His Journey
Pushkar Singh Dhami CM
Uttarakhand: CM Dhami Monitors Chamoli Cloudburst Relief Efforts, Army and SDRF Lead Swift Rescue Operation
CM Hemant Soren
Balanced Urban Growth in Jharkhand: CM Hemant Soren Plans State’s Largest Mall with Integrated ISBT in Ranchi
MP Mining Conclave
MP Mining Conclave 2.0: Investment Proposals Worth Rs56,414 Crore Signal a New Era for Mineral-Rich Madhya Pradesh
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai Begins Japan Visit with Investment Talks, Cultural Diplomacy and IT Collab; CM Visits Historic Asakusa Temple
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CM yogi
UP: CM Yogi Inaugurates Two New Kalyan Mandaps in Gorakhpur, Emphasizes Accessible Celebration Spaces- Full Details Inside
406951-supreme-court-of-india-sc
National Security at Risk: Centre Opposes Supreme Court Ruling Curtailing IPS Deputation in CAPFs, Says IPS Presence is Crucial
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT