Coming up in Ladakh, India's first dark sky reserve
- The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India’s first dark sky reserve at Hanle in Ladakh soon.
Dark sky reserve
- A place that ensures minimal artificial light interference.
- Developed with an aim to prevent Light Pollution.
Earning the tag
- Individuals or groups can nominate a site for certification to the IDSA.
- There are five designated categories
- International Dark Sky parks
- Communities
- Reserves
- Sanctuaries
- Urban Night Sky Places.
- The certification process is similar to that of the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag or a Biosphere Reserve.
- Dark Sky Places in the World (between 2001 and January 2022): 195 sites
Why Ladakh?
- Cold desert with high mountainous terrains
- Harsh long winters
- Large areas with a sparse population,
- Perfect for long-term astronomical observatories and dark sky places.
- Significance of the Reserve in Ladakh: Promote astronomy tourism.
Prelims Takeaway
- Dark Sky reserve
- Indian Astronomical Observatory
- International Dark Sky Association