LEH: The lack of vendors for various components is set to push the completion of the works on India’s first Dark Sky Reserve at Hanley by a couple of months, the officials informed on Wednesday.
This is due to the Dark Sky Reserve being the first-of-its-kind initiatives in India, they added.
This was informed as Lieutenant Governor Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) held a virtual meeting to review the progress of the Hanley Dark Sky Reserve, at Raj Niwas on Thursday.
At the outset of the meeting, LG inquired about the objective of the Hanley Dark Sky Reserve, its components, the progress towards the completion of the components to help fulfil the objective, the expectations of tourists and steps being taken for convenience, the role and contribution of the local beneficiaries in the project along with their benefits, the overall management and administration of the Reserve round the year, including the months when there is snowfall, and the expected date of the completion of the Reserve for its inauguration.
Inquiring about wildlife-watching opportunities for tourists along with dark sky watching, the LG emphasised the need to include several components in the Dark Sky Reserve’s administrative setup such as security and protection, hospitality, finance and accounts, model code of conduct to be promoted by locals and the need to issue orders by the Administration in this regard.
The LG highlighted the need to assign the responsibility to someone who will control the entire system in close coordination with the villagers.
Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Prof Annapurni Subramaniam, apprised LG of the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UT Administration, LAHDC Leh and IIA to establish India’s first dark sky reserve at Hanley in Ladakh to protect and preserve the nature, flora and fauna of the area and to promote Astro-tourism for the benefit and livelihood opportunities of the villagers.
She informed about the light management plan through various means such as putting curtains and shades and turning off the headlights of the vehicles to bring light pollution under control. She further informed about the trainings provided to homestay owners and astronomy ambassadors from the village about astronomy and the operation of telescopes.
Prof Annapurni and Principal Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal apprised LG of various issues, viz. the lack of vendors due to the first-of-its-kind initiatives in India due to which the completion of the works on Dark Sky Reserve at Hanley will be extended by a couple of months and also the prohibition on overnight stay of foreign tourists in Hanley, etc.
Councillor, Nyoma, Ishey Spalzang raised the need to allow the overnight stay of foreigners at Hanley and to ensure that there is no restriction on development activities at Hanley due to the establishment of the Dark Sky Reserve.
The LG asked Councillor Nyoma to take necessary initiatives for the promotion of agriculture/horticulture and pashmina wool activities to ensure multifront development, attention and activity for the benefit of the people of Nyoma sub-division.
He also asked Spalzang to ensure cleanliness in the Nyoma sub-division with the help of people’s participation (Jan Bhagidhari) and the need to sensitise the people not to litter in their surroundings. He further asked Shri Spalzang to ensure the safety and security of tourists at homestays and tackle the issue of dog menace in the sub-division.
The youth from Hanley and adjacent villages, who have been engaged as astronomy ambassadors, also shared their experiences on the occasion.
The LG expressed happiness over the participation of youth in the project and stated that it will improve their social and intellectual conduct along with interpersonal communication skills. He advised the youth to make sincere efforts for the development of the Dark Sky Reserve to help it become a world-class destination.
Earlier, the Regional Wildlife Warden of Ladakh, Sajjad Mufti, welcomed the guests.
Councillor, Nyoma, Ishey Spalzang; Sarpanch and Nambardars from Nyoma and Hanley constituencies; Principal Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Jigmet Takpa; Director, IIA, Prof Annapurni Subramaniam; DIG Ladakh Police, Shiekh Junaid; Regional Wildlife Warden, Sajjad Mufti; Deputy Commissioner Leh, Shrikant Suse and villagers from Hanley were present in the event.
