Leh to Sign Tripartite Agreement to Develop Hanle as Dark Sky Sanctuary

The Leh administration is set to sign a tripartite agreement to develop Hanle as Dark Sky Sanctuary. The Leh Hill Council, WildLife and Tourism departments will jointly develop the area for Astrotourism.

• The declaration of Hanle as a dark sky sanctuary was announced during the high-level meeting by Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary (Planning, Development and Monitoring Department), Ladakh.

Astro tourism:
i.Ladakh’s administration in association with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics aims to promote Astro-tourism in the village of Hanle in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh.
ii.The village of Hanle, located in the Hanle river valley, which has been declared as a dark sky sanctuary, will offer an unequivocal dark sky experience to tourists. 

What is a dark sky sanctuary? 

i.A dark sky sanctuary is an area that offers outstanding illumination of the sky. 

ii.It will promote proper illumination where and when it is needed without wasting energy and polluting other areas, especially the night sky which does not require illumination.

Benefits: 

i.The reduction of artificial illuminations at night will also benefit the wildlife in the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. 

ii.This will also ensure that the animals, birds, and humans follow the natural circadian rhythm.

Background:

i.High altitude cold desert conditions of Ladakh have several clear nights and days. This provides an ideal condition for astronomical studies.

ii.The Indian Institute of Astrophysics(IIA) conducted a detailed study of meteorological conditions over the Indian subcontinent and visited six prospective sites.

iii.The study, which concluded in 1994, identified Hanle valley in Changthang, eastern Ladakh as the best site for astronomy in India.

Additional info:

International Dark-sky Association (IDA) is an international organisation that tags the darkest, clearest skies in the world for stargazing in its effort to combat light pollution.

About Hanle valley:

i.Hanle valley is recognised as one of the best sites in the world for astronomical studies along with Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, observatories in the Andean mountains of Chile, and European facilities in the Canary Islands, Spain. 

ii.Chinese astronomers studies the sites in their territory and identified Ngari prefecture in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, adjacent to Hanle, as the best site.

iii.The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) was established in Digpa Ratsa-ri, Hanle. 

iv.The two metre-aperture Himalayan Chandra Telescope was also installed here in 2000. 

v.This observatory also facilitates studies in geophysics, atmospheric trace gases and aerosols.

Note: Hanle also houses the 17th century Hanle Monastery.