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From Villages to the Stars: Uttarakhand Launches India’s First State-Level Astro-Tourism Drive

Uttarakhand will train 500 youth as certified astro-tourism guides, combining dark sky preservation with livelihood generation
Indian Masterminds Stories

In a major push toward sustainable and community-based tourism, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTTB) has launched a government-supported initiative to train 500 local youth as certified Astro-Tourism Guides. The program, rolled out in collaboration with Starscapes and the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), will run from October 2025 to March 2026.

Also Read: Uttarakhand Gets Rs. 986 Crore Infrastructure Push: CM Dhami Clears Projects from Hills to Heartland, Empowers Panchayati Raj Institutions

Tripartite Partnership for Impactful Execution

Under a formal tripartite agreement, UTTB will function as the sponsoring authority, Starscapes as the training partner, and THSC as the executing partner. The goal is to integrate astronomy, hospitality, and sustainable tourism into a certified vocational program aligned with the Government of India’s Skill Development Mission.

Certified Training for Emerging Astro-Tourism Careers

The curriculum will equip participants with in-depth astronomy knowledge, telescope operation skills, and training in hospitality, marketing, and community engagement. Upon completion, trainees will receive nationally recognized certification, opening employment pathways in both private and government tourism sectors.

Training Across 14 Tourist Hubs in Uttarakhand

Training sessions will take place in key tourism destinations including Dehradun, Rishikesh, Munsiyari, Almora, Nainital, Chopta, Karnaprayag, and Tehri, among others. These regions will serve as focal points for dark sky conservation and responsible tourism development.

Empowering Local Youth, Boosting Homestays and Rural Livelihoods

Designed specifically for local youth, the initiative aims to strengthen grassroots tourism, especially homestay-based and village tourism models. The trained astro guides will contribute to preserving the night sky, reducing light pollution, and offering tourist experiences that blend science, culture, and sustainability.

National Recognition Through Skill Certification

The program’s curriculum has been formally certified by the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, a government body under India’s national skilling framework. This not only enhances employability but also gives formal recognition to astro-tourism as an emerging sector.

Voices from the Initiative: Stakeholders Speak

Mr. Vivek Shandilya, Vice President of Business Development at THSC, remarked, “This program will build a future of community-led, responsible tourism and economic empowerment.”

Mrs. Poonam Chand, Additional Director at UTTB, stated, “We are aligning our tourism vision with sustainability, livelihood creation, and dark sky preservation.”

Mr. Ramashish Ray, Founder of Starscapes, emphasized, “We’re not just training individuals, we’re creating a community of astronomy advocates who can lead local tourism with pride and purpose.”

A Model for Responsible Tourism Nationwide

The initiative is being hailed as India’s first state-level astro-tourism skill program with direct community involvement. It serves as a model for other Himalayan and eco-sensitive states, combining heritage, science, and employment under a sustainable tourism umbrella.

Also Read: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Honors NDRF, SDRF, and Police Teams for Outstanding Disaster Relief Efforts


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