India’s First International Dark Sky Park

Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

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India’s First International Dark Sky Park

Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has made history by securing recognition as India’s inaugural Dark Sky Park, marking its position as the fifth in Asia. This prestigious acknowledgment underscores the reserve’s unwavering commitment to protecting the sanctity of the night sky and creating an optimal setting for astronomy enthusiasts.

Importance of Recognition

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, recognizing the intrinsic value of the night sky as a natural, cultural, and historical resource, played a pivotal role in conferring this distinction. Prabhu Nath Shukla, the deputy director of the reserve, highlighted the significance of preserving natural darkness for nature conservation, maintaining ecological integrity, and contributing to the well-being of communities in urban centers.

Global Threat of Light Pollution

Shukla emphasized the escalating global threat posed by light pollution and its substantial risk to this invaluable natural resource. The Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society Working Group, led by the International Astronomical Union, actively advocates for the establishment of ‘Dark Sky Parks’ by national and local governments.

Comprehensive Measures

To enhance the stargazing experience, the reserve has established a night observatory near Bagholi, funded by the district planning committee. Additionally, over 100 street and community lights in nearby villages have been strategically replaced, addressing light pollution concerns and preserving the pristine quality of the night sky. The Dark Sky Park certification process, as outlined by Shukla, focuses on critical areas such as lighting policy, dark sky-friendly retrofits, outreach and education, and night sky monitoring.

Recognizing the intrinsic value of the night sky as a natural, cultural, and historical resource, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) emphasizes the importance of preserving natural darkness for the sake of nature conservation, ecological integrity in protected areas, and the well-being of communities in healthy cities, said Prabhu Nath Shukla, deputy director of PTR Maharashtra

The escalating global threat of light pollution poses a substantial risk to this invaluable resource, he stated in a release.

The Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society Working Group, led by the International Astronomical Union, has recommended the establishment of ‘Dark Sky Oases’ by national and local governments, Shukla said.

He said the Dark Sky Place certification focuses on lighting policy, dark sky-friendly retrofits, outreach and education, and monitoring the night sky.

The reserve has inaugurated a night observatory with the district planning committee (DPC) fund, the official said, adding that the area Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has made history by securing recognition as India’s inaugural Dark Sky Park, marking its position as the fifth in Asia. This prestigious acknowledgment underscores the reserve’s unwavering commitment to protecting the sanctity of the night sky and creating an optimal setting for astronomy enthusiasts.near Bagholi has been earmarked for stargazing.

As part of the measures, more than 100 street and community lights in Wagholi, Sillari, Pipariya and Khapa villages of the Paoni UC Range buffer area have been replaced with lights facing the ground to mitigate light pollution, he said.

 

About Pench Tiger Reserve:

• • Location: The Reserve is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in theSeoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh and continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a separate Sanctuary.
  • It is named after the Pench River,which flows from north to south through the Reserve.
  • It comprises of the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, the Pench Mowgli Sanctuary and a buffer.
  • The area of the Pench Tiger Reserve and the surrounding area is the real story area of Rudyard Kipling’s famous “The Jungle Book”. 
  • Terrain: It is undulating, with most of the area covered by small hills and steep slopeson the sides.
  • Vegetation: The undulating topography supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from a moist sheltered valley to an open, dry deciduous forest.
  • Flora: The reserve boasts a diverse range of flora, including teak, saag, mahua, and various grasses and shrubs.
  • Fauna: The area is especially famous for large herds of Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur (Indian Bison) and wild boar.
  • The key predator is the tiger, followed by leopard, wild dogs and wolf.

There are over 325 species of resident and migratory birds, including the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Osprey, Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, White Eyed Buzzard etc

 

 

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur