Country's first Night Sky Sanctuary will be setup in Ladakh, Astro tourism will get a boost
The country's first Night Sky Sanctuary will be part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh, which will give a boost to astro-tourism. Optical infra-red and gamma ray telescopes have been installed at Hanley, one of the highest altitude sites in the world.
A tripartite agreement has been signed between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, the Ladakh Administration and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics for the Night Sky Sanctuary project. This project will enhance the local economy.
What is Night Sky Sanctuary
Night sky sanctuary is an area where light pollution is controlled. Maximum darkness is ensured at night so that the planets and stars in the sky can be studied. The timing of vehicular movement in the Night Sky Sanctuary area is fixed.
The direction of thick curtains and bulbs is pre-determined so that the light of the house does not come out. The darker it is, the clearer the stars are in the sky. Since Ladakh is like a cold desert. The sky is clear here almost throughout the year. Changthang is a remote area with very little population around it.
