Hanle: India's First Dark Sky Reserve (a film)

This film presents the idea behind the upcoming Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh, India. This is the story of how this venture will bring together astro-tourism as well as preserving dark skies for scientific research, in a collaboration between astronomers, the administration, and the local communities.

Light pollution is a serious global issue. According to a study, 80% of the world lives under a light-polluted sky, which adversely affects not only humans but also flora and fauna. We are at severe risk of losing our night sky heritage to light pollution.

Since the preservation and conservation of the night sky is of paramount importance, the Ladakh UT administration, along with the Ladakh Hill Development Council, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics have initiated the establishment of Hanle as India's First Dark Sky Reserve. Around 250 km from Leh, Hanle is one of the world's most enchanting, serene and breathtaking locations that houses the highest altitude astronomical observatory in the world, The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO). This observatory is run by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, which is headquarted in Bengaluru. The reserve will include an area covering over 1000 square km centred at the IAO. To create awareness about the importance of the dark sky reserve, the Ladakh UT administration plans to promote astro-tourism, by incorporating several home-stays and installing telescopes in the villages across the reserve. The dark skies are an excellent resource that can be utilised for astro-tourism as well as education, which will help in the socio-economic development of the region as a whole.

The film has been developed to highlight the importance of the Dark Sky Reserve and is made available in public domain under the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Share Alike 4.0 International License. It is free to download for private and community screening. We encourage you to use and share the film for creating awareness about Hanle Dark Sky Reserve. Please note, commercial usage of the film is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Director, Cinematographer & Editor: Rakesh Rao, Enscitec Productions
Narration: Prakhar Sharma
Music: Ashish Prabhu Ajgaonkar
Script Editor: Anchal Goil
Landscape Astrophotography: Dorje Angchuk

Project Commissioned by: Indian Institute of Astrophysics for The Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh.

#HanleDarkSkyReserve #Ladakh #Hanle #Astrotourism #HDSR

[academicsravinder]

Watching the night sky is truly a liberating experience.... Let the dark sky illuminate the heart and mind of all. People of Hanle & Leh are indeed blessed with this heavenly gift... Lets all try to preserve this valuable treasure.

[dheerajkumarthakur]

How many of you came here after reading current affairs?

[rigzinangchuk]

Incredible sir Dorjey Sir love to see ur world..

[sankethhiremath]

Wow.. this is so wonderful. Thank you all the people involved.
A suggestion., Kindly don't keep the entry to Hanle free, . Keep an amount of 500- 1000 as entry fee. This is why because Indian tourists are very bad, they are sure to destroy the fragile eco system of Hanle, Indian tourists don't value such wonderful things, they will pakka trash with plastic waste. So Kindly implement it and use for preservation of the reserve 🙏

[explorers]

Three poles are done. Now let's move to the Limitless space above us. Way to go my friend ❤️❤️❤️

[shadetreader]

I can't wait to see many of those kids become astronomers! 🖤🌌🖤

[travellustnomad]

Amazing Documentary.... Visiting Hanle in August this year 🙌🙌

[deyshuvadeep]

Wonderful documentry. I just loved it. Thank you IIA and other organisations who are part of this. ❤️

[MrAshokKB]

In my bucket list now. Must visit Hanle for astrophotography.

[AstroRoxy]

Wow! This is so beautiful and exciting! 💖 now India also a dark sky reserve, here's to more astro tourism! 🌌
I am feeling so awe inspired after watching this I could recognize some of the places shown in the video, I want more people to feel the enchanting beauty of Hanle. and the little girl with the telescope was so wholesome, here's to all the opportunities this step will bring in the village and astro community.

[KarthikEasvur]

One more bucket list added.... Amazing documentary

[avinash]

Excellent and well-documented coverage ....Great job by Rakesh Rao and team

[timewarpclub]

I am an astrophotographer and have travelled to multiple dark sky reserves and sanctuaries ( proof on my channel)

I think that Hanle should be recoginised as a dark sky sanctuary, and not a reserve. (Sanctuary is better)

For Example, Great Barrier Island (NZ) is a dark sky sanctuary, but it is only a 20-40 minute flight away from a big city like Auckland. However, getting to hanlee is a 5 hour drive from the closest airport.

Also, i think Hanle is very similar to the observatory at altacama desert, which is also labelled a dark sky sanctuary.

So, in my humble opinion, we should re-approach the international dark sky association and get Hanle labeled as a dark sky sanctuary.

Plus a humble request to all those who visit, please respect the area and it rules. Dark Sky tourism can really change the lives of the locals there.

[BPSchauhanVLOGS]

Most Stuning Amazing Film ! I wanted to Discover Hanle, Now I will Definitely TRY to See this During My Leh- Ladakh Bike TRIP !!

[captainjacksparrow]

one of the most spectacular places which i had visited..
and i would recommend travellers who are planning for ladakh trip to plan for hanley also and enjoy it's amazing night sky view...
I had very much delighted by visiting Hanley in 2018 ..

[amitvakil]

Excellent love the spirit. Congratulations to the entire team.!!!

[AstronomerSays]

Awesome! Hanle being the astronomical heaven of the country this is a great move by the authorities to conserve the essence & beauty of stargazing!!

[CitizenSarapharaj]

We are not alone in this universe. This is the guiding spirit for astrophysics.
One day we will find another intellectual spacies on other planet.

[naramalahanumantharao]

We visited this place...i am very lucky to visit ..thanks to LSF

[Gaurav_]

Amazing 👌🙏 I’m here after Talacauvery in KN emerged as Second hanle dark sky reserve 😎
Very Professional documentary…