1 week ago
Maharashtra Advances Dark-Sky Initiative Across 11 Astro-Tourism Sites
Maharashtra wants to protect places where people can see many stars at night.
The state has chosen 11 places to start this work.
They include villages and natural areas such as Udmal, Lonar and Kaas-Pathar.
Officials and villagers are discussing how to use better lighting that points toward roads instead of the sky.
This could reduce wasted light and help animals and people.
The plan may also bring visitors who want to learn about space and watch stars.
AstronEra is helping the government prepare a possible dark-sky policy.
Officials also want to connect the project with Nashik’s cultural and astronomy history.
They hope the effort will help nature, science and local communities.
Maharashtra has identified 11 pilot locations for its dark-sky initiative, including Udmal, Kaas-Pathar, Lonar and Toranmal.
Dark-sky task forces have been established in Satara, Buldhana, Nandurbar and Jalgaon districts.
Udmal villagers and Forest Department officials discussed protecting the night sky and developing astro-tourism.
AstronEra is advising on a proposed state Dark Sky Policy, responsible lighting and possible international certification.
Officials say reduced light pollution could support biodiversity, research, public health, heritage education and rural economies.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, district administrations, villagers, Forest Department officials and AstronEra are involved.
- What
- The state is developing a dark-sky initiative involving 11 pilot sites, responsible lighting and potential astro-tourism.
- Where
- The pilot locations are in Maharashtra, including Udmal in Nashik, Kaas-Pathar in Satara, Lonar in Buldhana and Toranmal in Nandurbar.
- When
- The initiative was announced on August 23 the previous year; the 11 sites were identified early this year, and an Udmal meeting took place on Monday.
- Why
- The effort aims to reduce light pollution, protect biodiversity and natural cycles, support research and create sustainable rural tourism opportunities.
Key facts
- Pilot locations
- 11 sites across Maharashtra have been identified.
- Named sites
- Udmal, Kaas-Pathar, Lonar and Toranmal are among the pilot locations.
- District task forces
- Satara, Buldhana, Nandurbar and Jalgaon have established dark-sky task forces.
- Government initiative
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced Maharashtra’s Dark Sky initiative on National Space Day, August 23.
- Technical adviser
- Pune-based AstronEra is involved in discussions on the proposed state Dark Sky Policy.
- Lighting approach
- Officials are considering surface lighting directed at roads and public-use areas instead of broadly dispersed or high-mast lighting.
- Potential benefits
- The initiative is intended to support biodiversity conservation, scientific research, responsible lighting and sustainable rural economies through astro-tourism.
Quotes
Shweta Kulkarni
Founder of AstronEra, an astronomy and astro-tourism organisation
“Instead of conventional space lighting, such as high-mast or broadly dispersed street lights, we can adopt surface lighting that focuses light directly on roads and public-use areas”
indianexpress.com
“Dark night skies are not simply something beautiful to look at, but they are also a natural resource worth protecting and an opportunity for communities and tourism”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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