During his meeting with the Minister at the North Block, they discussed the progress of the upcoming India’s first ‘Night Sky Sanctuary in Ladakh’, a statement said here.
The Minister said that India’s first Night Sky Sanctuary being set up in Ladakh will give a fillip to ‘Astro tourism’ in the Union Territory and generate revenue as well as livelihood, “Once the project is ready to become functional, on behalf of the Department of Science & Technology and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR), we will request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate it at his convenient date,” the release quoted Singh as saying.
In December last year, the government had notified the proposed Dark Sky Reserve at Hanle village in Eastern Ladakh. Spread over 1,073 square kilometers, the Night Sky Reserve is located within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, the second-highest optical telescope in the world, of Indian Institute of Astrophysics at Hanle at an elevation of 4500 meters.
“This Dark Sky Reserve is among only 15 or 16 of its kind in the world that will offer a spectacular view of the night sky. Because of its altitude and location across the Himalayas in the rain shadow area, this Night Sky Reserve is the ideal place for star gazers almost throughout the year,” the Minister said.
The Night Sky Reserve aims to promote livelihood through eco-friendly activities of Astro tourism, spread awareness about astronomy and boost scientific research with reduced artificial light and wildlife conservation.
Singh said projects are afoot on developing food products from Leh Berry, the nutritionally rich and exotic fruit of the region.
The CSIR under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology is promoting “Leh Berry” which is an exclusive food product of the cold desert and also a means of wide-ranging entrepreneurship as well as self-livelihood.
The Minister also referred to PM Modi’s visit to Ladakh in May 2018, wherein he had strongly advised for widespread cultivation of sea buckthorn, which is the source of “Leh Berry”.
Singh said PM Modi accords highest priority to Ladakh and other remote regions of the country.
“For the first time under the Modi government, Ladakh has been granted a University and an Engineering College and the Medical College Has also started academic sessions since last year,” he said.
The delegation also discussed strategic issues in the border region and local administrative matters, the release said.
