[category]
[title]
Maharashtra’s sky may get a little more starry. Udmal, a tribal village in Nashik, Surgana district, is set to become the state’s first officially certified Dark Sky Community. The district administration sanctioned ₹42.1 lakh – under District Annual Tribal Sub-Plan (DATSP) – for a project to protect its pristine night skies and develop astro-tourism.
The project’s aim is simple: reduce light pollution, promote astronomy tourism and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local tribal community.
This initiative comes after Udmal’s gram sabha passed a resolution – under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act aka PESA – to curb light pollution and introduce scientifically planned outdoor lighting. This ensures that the village’s lights are smarter and well-directed and are less disruptive to the night sky.
Udmal’s in the process of getting certified by DarkSky International as Maharashtra’s first official Dark Sky Community.
What’s more in the project?
Implemented in collaboration with NGO Astronera, the project will include a night sky quality assessment with a responsible lighting system and awareness campaigns, along with technical training for the local tribal youth. The district administration hopes for this initiative to turn into a model for community-led conservation and an addition to the astro-tourism destinations.
Udmal is among several locations identified by Maharashtra astro-tourism development. It is a part of Vikasit Maharashtra 2047, and the other destinations are: Pench Tiger Reserve, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Harihareshwar, Lonar Crater Lake, Toranmal Hill Station, Bhandardara Dam, Bhimashankar, Melghat, Yawal East Range. The proposed infrastructure across these sites includes telescope viewing stations, astronomy interpretation centres, eco-friendly accommodation and observatories.
If your city’s AQI has made you forget what a proper night sky looks like, then this might just be your cue to head north. There’s no official timeline yet for when Udmal will be fully operational for astro-tourism, so stay tuned.