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
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT