The people of Hanle in Ladakh, deep up in the Himalayas along the Indo-China border, live in a remote village by embracing the darkness with great pride. While the whole of India celebrates Diwali with bright lights everywhere, Hanle observes something else in silence- the beauty of star-spangled skies untouched by the glow of artificial lights. The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) is India's very first of its kind offering a rare view of night skies, with local villagers trained as astro-guides showing visitors celestial wonders.

Why darkness is celebrated in Hanle

HDSR is an inspired science project for the preservation of the night sky in Changthang Wildlife Reserve. This team has undertaken this mission of safeguarding a pristine sky above Hanle taken up by the research team of Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam and her team from Bengaluru's Indian Institute of Astrophysics. Astro tourism will be encouraged to bolster the local economy. “Hanle is India’s gateway to the Universe, and the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is a unique science-driven sustainable development project of Ladakh,” says Dr. Subramaniam.

In Hanle, which is a village largely not connected to the national electricity grid and dependent on diesel generators, light pollution remains minimal. However, extra measures such as low-beam headlights, dark curtains, and warm-toned lights are used to reduce light spillover, so that the village's skies remain ideal for stargazing.

Astro-tourism: Opportunity for Ladakh

Astro-tourism now forms a vital component of the HDSR. With 18 telescopes gifted to locals, the locals are now well-equipped enough to take tourists on a tour of the stars. Local astro-ambassador Kesang Dorjey runs a homestay in Hanle and says, "One needs dark skies to view the beauty of stars and the Milky Way, and the telescopes gifted by the government are helping in sustainable tourism."

This model of tourism brings influxes of visitors to reside in the local accommodations for periods, thereby providing major socio-economic benefits to this region. The villagers then get educated in astronomy as guides who introduce the cosmology wonder to the guests and bring a stable form of income into their community.

The HDSR project extends beyond tourism. According to Dr Jitendra Singh, minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, the dark sky reserve is a rare mix of science and community. "It has fascinated stargazers," he says. He hopes Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon come to this unique reserve to see the Himalayan Chandra Telescope atop Mount Saraswati at 4,500 meters. This telescope, part of a collaboration of several scientific institutions, is an integral feature of the HDSR.

Local religious and conservation leaders express their support for the HDSR project, citing its cultural and ecological significance. Shri Nawang Choszanh, abbot of Hanle Monastery, says:  “light pollution needs to be minimized to enjoy the star-spangled skies of Hanle.” Chief Conservator of Forests in Ladakh, Mr. Sajad Hussain, adds that “maybe in the long run, an amendment needs to be made to India’s conservation laws to give statutory strength to the unique dark sky reserve projects.”

A star party like no other

Recently, HDSR organized a "Star Party," where passionate amateur astronomers came together to witness Hanle's vast, dark skies. According to Dr. Subramaniam, “This Star Party is yet another way in which HDSR brings together the cosmos and the people who love the night sky. We are especially delighted that, through the HDSR project, the observatory has been connecting with the local communities in a substantial and meaningful fashion.”

The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve project brings Ladakh more and more to the fore where science and sustainable tourism blend seamlessly. For those who travel to Hanle, the view is unparalleled—a quiet celebration of the cosmos, where, under the vast Himalayan sky, darkness truly is beautiful.