The Government of India, recently announced the upcoming establishment of South East Asia’s first Night Sky Sanctuary in Ladakh.It will be located at Hanle village in Eastern Ladakh as a part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.It is being set up with the help of Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bengaluru, which is affiliated to the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India.Spread over 1,073 square kilometers, it is adjacent to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, the second-highest optical telescope in the world.It will boost Astro-tourism in India and will be one of the world’s highest-located sites for optical, infra-red, and gamma-ray telescopes.
Major Types of Dark Sky Places
The International Dark Sky Association, a U.S.-based non-profit, designates places as International Dark Sky Places, Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves, depending on the criteria they meet:
- Dark Sky Parks: These are conservation areas, publicly or privately owned, that implement effective outdoor lighting practices and offer programs centered around experiencing dark skies.
- Dark Sky Sanctuaries: These are extremely remote and often the darkest places on Earth. They require stringent conservation measures due to their fragile state.
- Dark Sky Reserves: These reserves have a defined dark “core” zone surrounded by populated areas. Policies are implemented to safeguard the darkness of the core zone while accommodating nearby communities.
- Urban Night Sky Places: These urban sites strive to provide an authentic night time experience despite significant artificial light. Here focus is on creating environments where people can still appreciate the night sky.
- Dark Sky Communities: Cities and towns recognized for their quality outdoor lighting ordinances and efforts to educate residents about the significance of preserving dark skies.