Dark Sky Reserve Ladakh

Why in the News?

India will establish the country’s first Dark Sky Reserve in the Ladakh by the end of 2022.

Key Points:

• The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India’s first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle, Ladakh in the next three months.

Dark Sky Reserve:

• About: It is a public or private land with a distinguished nocturnal environment and starry nights that has been developed responsibly to prevent light pollution.
  • It consist of a core area meeting minimum criteria for sky quality and natural darkness, and a peripheral area that supports dark sky preservation in the core.
• Location: Hanle in Ladakh as a part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. 
• Developed by: Ladakh administration, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).

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). 
  • IDSA is a U.S.-based non-profit that designates places as International Dark Sky Places, Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves.

Objective: To promote astronomy tourism in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner. 

Reason for selecting Ladakh:

• Cold desert with high mountainous terrains. 
• Long and harsh winters with minimum temperatures. 
• Aridity, limited vegetation, high elevation and large areas with sparse populations.

All these factors make it the perfect setting for long-term astronomical observatories and dark sky places.