1st dark sky reserve in Eastern Ladakh.

Eastern Ladakh will soon have South East Asia's first night sky sanctuary. 

The sanctuary was being set with the help of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, which is affiliated to the Department of Science and Technology under the GoI. It will be the 15th or 16th of its kind in the world, will fascinate star gazers.

Accordingly, a tripartite MoU was signed  between the Ladakh administration, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics for launching the Dark Sky Reserve. The site will have activities to help boost local tourism and economy through interventions of Science and Technology.

The Dark Sky Reserve will be located at Hanle village in Eastern Ladakh as a part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 1,073 square kilometres and it is located adjacent to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, the second highest optical telescope in the world at an elevation of 4,500 mts.

GI-tagged treasures of Ladakh, including sea buckthorn, Raktsey Karpo apricots, Ladakh wood carvings and Pashmina wool are being showcased in the "Ladakh's Pride' exhibition, that's currently on. 'Leh Berry', an exclusive food product of the cold desert, the commercial cultivation of medicinal plants at a height of above 15,000 ft are being promoted. "Sanjeevani Booti', locally known as 'sola' is included.

Courtesy. Mayank Singh in the NIE

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 5, the chores and was ready by a half past 9.

Selvam had come by for pressing clothes. Gave him 5 Grand on account of his son, Raja's, wedding.

Collected my reading glasses from the clinic.