One of India’s most popular tourist destinations, Ladakh, is getting closer to establishing the nation’s first Night Sky Sanctuary. As a component of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, the sanctuary will be established near the well-known historic village of Hanle. The Ladakh Night Sky sanctuary project is now under construction and should be finished by the end of the year.
The authorities anticipate that this construction will increase Astro tourism. The site will be the highest in the entire world. According to Dr. Jitendra Singh, all interested parties will work together to protect the night sky from light pollution and illumination that endangers scientific observations and the sky’s natural Conditions.
What is a Night Sky Sanctuary?
A Night Sky Sanctuary often referred to as a Dark Sky Reserve, is a location that has been specifically designed with a distinctive nocturnal environment and starry nights. The Sanctuary has created a responsibility to reduce light pollution that could harm the Astro-Tourism experience.
Promoting Astro Tourism in India
The Night Sky Sanctuary’s promotion of Astro tourism in the area is one of its main goals. This project will include cutting-edge telescopes installed by IIA. The project’s goals also include assembling a group of scientists and subject-matter specialists who can locate and instruct villagers on how to utilise telescopes for basic astronomical observation. In addition to assisting them in spotting the pole star, the specialists will also teach them how to identify constellations. As a result, Astro Tourism will become a new alternative source of income.
More About the Ladakh Night Sky Sanctuary
When completed, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary will include the night sky sanctuary, the second-largest natural reserve in the world. The new undertaking will house optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes at one of the highest elevations in the entire world. It will enhance astronomy tourism in India by being one of the world’s highest-located optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescope sites. This place will be a great Ladakh tourist spot.
The chilly desert region of Hanle is thought to be the most appropriate location for this. Hanle is far from populous regions, human disturbance, or pollution because it is the site that is greatest in elevation. The Minister added that the area is ideal due to the year-round clear skies and dry weather.
Ladakh Night Sky Sanctuary is being developed by the Department of Science & Technology (DST). It was announced formally on Saturday, 3rd September 2022 by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology.
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