News Highlight
The government plans to promote astronomy tourism at the Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle in Ladakh.
Key Takeaway
- Ladakh to have India’s first ‘Dark Sky Reserve’ to promote astronomy tourism.
Dark Sky Reserve
- About:
- The International Dark Sky Association (IDSA) defines an international dark sky reserve (IDSR) as “a public or private land of substantial size possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment, and that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and public enjoyment.
- How does a site become a ‘Dark Sky Reserve’?
- Individuals or groups can nominate a site for certification to the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA).
- There are five designated categories, namely
- International Dark Sky parks
- Communities
- Reserves
- Sanctuaries
- Urban Night Sky Places.
- Designation:
- The International Dark Sky Association is a U.S.-based non-profit that designates places as International Dark Sky Places, Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves, depending on their criteria.
- The certification process is similar to that of a site awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag or recognised as a Biosphere Reserve.
- Significance:
- The reserve will boost Astro tourism in India and be one of the world’s highest-located sites for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes.
- Why was Ladakh chosen for Setting up the Dark Reserve?
- Cold Desert with Sparse Population
- Clear Skies
- Other Telescopes situated in Hanle Observatory
- Dark Reserve sites:
- Between 2001 and January 2022, there were 195 sites recognised as International Dark Sky Places globally.
- Hanle in Ladakh:
- The ‘Hanle’ valley, situated in Changdhang in Ladakh, is an arid, cold desert located on top of the Saraswati mountain within the Nilamkhul desert with a sparse human population.
- “Hanle Buddhist Monastery” is located nearby.
- Cloudless skies and low atmospheric water vapour make it one of the world’s best destinations for optical, infrared, sub-millimetre and millimetre wavelengths.
Content Source: The Hindu