Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Udhamal Set to Become India's First Dark Sky Community Village
There is a small village in India that wants to protect the darkness of its night sky.
The village is called Udhamal, and it is in the Nashik district of the state of Maharashtra.
It hopes to become the first place in India recognized as a 'Dark Sky Community' by a global group called DarkSky International.
This special title goes to places where the sky is very dark and the stars shine brightly, with little light pollution.
The village leaders approved money, about 42 lakh rupees, to make this happen.
The funds will be used to check how dark the sky is, set up lights that don't shine upward, teach people about light pollution, and train local youth.
They believe learning about stars and space will make children curious and scientific.
Many tourists who love stargazing may also visit, which could create jobs for local people.
The state government of Maharashtra supports the idea with its own plans for a dark sky policy.
Udhamal village in Surgana taluka of Nashik district is set to become India's first Dark Sky Community certified by DarkSky International.
Nashik District Collector Ayush Prasad granted administrative approval for funding to implement the dark-sky initiative.
An administrative sanction of ₹42.14 lakh was approved under the District Annual Tribal Sub-Plan 2026–27.
The Udhamal Gram Sabha passed a resolution under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) to conserve dark skies and promote responsible outdoor lighting.
The project aims to promote astronomy education, scientific temper, and astro-tourism, aligning with Maharashtra's proposed State Dark Sky Policy.
- Who
- Nashik District Collector Ayush Prasad, the District Planning Committee, and the Udhamal Gram Sabha.
- What
- Udhamal village is set to become India's first Dark Sky Community certified by DarkSky International, with funding approved for dark-sky conservation, astronomy education, and astro-tourism.
- When
- Administrative approval was granted under the District Annual Tribal Sub-Plan 2026–27; no specific date was stated in the article.
- Where
- Udhamal village, Surgana taluka, Nashik district, Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- To conserve the village's naturally dark and pollution-free night sky, reduce light pollution, promote scientific temper among students, and support astro-tourism and sustainable livelihoods.
- Village
- Udhamal, Surgana taluka, Nashik district, Maharashtra
- Recognition sought
- India's first Dark Sky Community certified by DarkSky International
- Funding approved
- ₹42.14 lakh
- Funding source
- District Annual Tribal Sub-Plan 2026–27
- Approved by
- District Collector Ayush Prasad / District Planning Committee
- Local resolution
- Gram Sabha resolution under PESA
- Project objectives
- Astronomy education, light-pollution reduction, astro-tourism, livelihood creation
- Related policy
- Maharashtra government's proposed State Dark Sky Policy