The Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Science & Technology Ministry, GOI announced the setting up of India’s first Dark Sky Reserve at Hanle, Ladakh. This is an important development for India’s science & tech landscape and hence, it assumes significance for the IAS exam, especially the IAS Prelims exam.
Dark Sky Reserve
The International Dark Sky Association defines an International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR) as “a public or private land of substantial size (at least 700 km², or about 173,000 acres) 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/or public enjoyment.”
- A dark sky reserve consists of a “core” area that has a clear sky without any light pollution, which can enable telescopes to see the sky in its natural darkness and a peripheral area that supports the dark sky present in the core.
India’s First Dark Sky Reserve
The Union Territory of Ladakh will host India’s first Dark Sky Reserve (DSR) which will be set up in the Hanle area. The Dark Sky Reserve is being built as a part of Ladakh’s high-altitude Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Image source: www.adequatetravel.com
- A tripartite MoU was signed among the UT administration, LAHDC (Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council), Leh and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru for launching the Dark Space Reserve.
- The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru are providing support for the facility. The IIA already manages the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) complex in Hanle, Ladakh.
Why Ladakh was chosen for Dark Sky Reserve?
- Hanle, Ladakh is best suited for the project as it is located in Ladakh’s cold desert region with clear sky and dry weather conditions throughout the year and away from human disturbance.
- Hanle is situated at an altitude of about 4500 metres above the mean sea level to the north of the Western Himalayas.
- The cloudless skies and low atmospheric water vapour make it one of the best sites in the world for optical, infrared, sub-millimetre and millimetre wavelengths.
Ladakh Dark Sky Reserve Objectives
- To promote astro-tourism in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner. Villages around Hanle will be encouraged to promote homestays equipped with telescopes that visitors can use to view the night sky.
- Dark Sky Reserve, Ladakh will be one of the world’s highest-located sites for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes.
- It will also boost the economy of the region.
Additional Information
- The International Dark Sky Association (IDA), a nonprofit organisation based in Tucson, Arizona, advocates for the protection of the nighttime environment and dark night skies by educating policymakers and the public about night sky conservation and promoting environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.
- Since 1988 IDA has led a movement to protect night from light pollution. As of January 2022, there are 195 certified International Dark Sky Places (IDSPs) in the world.
- The International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) Program was established in 2001 to encourage communities, parks and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education.
- The IDA designated places as International Dark Sky Communities, Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves and Urban Night Sky Places, depending on the criteria they meet.
- The Mont Megante (Canada), designated in 2007, is the world’s first International Dark Sky Reserve.
- Gabriela Mistral, Elqui valley of Northern Chile is the world’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary, designated in 2015.
Dark Sky Reserve, Ladakh:- Download PDF Here
| Related Links | |||
| NCERT Geography Notes for UPSC | UPSC Prelims Geography Questions | ||
| NCERT Notes: Geography – Air | List of Biosphere Reserves in India | ||
| Mountain Passes in India | National Parks in India | ||
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