The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh is India's first dark sky reserve. It was designated as a dark sky reserve in 2022 by the Union Territory of Ladakh to control man-made light pollution and preserve the area's dark skies.
The reserve spans an area of approximately 1,073 square kilometers and includes the six hamlets of Bhok, Shado, Punguk, Khuldo, Naga, and Tibetan Refugee habitations.
Hanle Dark Sky Reserve Ladakh
The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), which is one of the highest observatories in the world. The IAO is a field station of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, and conducts scientific research for professional astronomers.
The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is also a popular tourist destination for people who want to experience the beauty of the night sky unaffected by light pollution. The reserve is promoted as a tourist destination for enjoying the night sky, and also helps in socio-economic development of the local villages.
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