Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board in association with Starscapes, India's leading Astro tourism company, inaugurated ‘Nakshatra Sabha’, India’s first-ever annual campaign dedicated exclusively to promoting Astro Tourism.
The inaugural event was held at George Everest, Mussoorie, in the presence of Dr. Dipankar Bannerjee, Director, ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences), Dr. Prabhas Pandey, Professor, Delhi University, Aakash Sinha, Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Engineering, Shiv Nadar University, Dr. T V Venkateswaran from Vigyan Prasar, and Ramashish Ray, Founder, Starscapes.
The choice of George Everest Peak as the location for the event carries significant historical importance. Named after the renowned British surveyor Sir George Everest, the peak was central to the trigonometric survey of India, which was crucial for the accurate mapping of the country. Additionally, Nain Singh Rawat collaborated extensively with Sir George Everest in surveying the Himalayan region. Recently, Uttarakhand Tourism inaugurated the country's first cartography museum, the George Everest Cartography Museum, at Park Estate, the former residence of Sir George Everest.
Nakshatra Sabha offers a holistic Astro Tourism experience with activities such as stargazing, special solar observations, astrophotography contests, camping under the stars and much more. Nakshatra Sabha will span until mid of 2025, offering a series of immersive events at various locations throughout Uttarakhand. This will cover Dark sky potential sites in districts of Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Chamoli besides seminars and webinars with experts. This initiative aims to bring together astronomy enthusiasts, adventurers, and travellers from across the globe to witness the beauty of the cosmos.
The campaign also offers professional training and skill development opportunities to local residents, with an aim to enhance local economies. Furthermore, it will advocate for the preservation of dark skies, fostering a community of ambassadors dedicated to promoting dark sky conservation efforts throughout Uttarakhand. This includes the formulation of a dark sky preservation policy and its implementation throughout the region over the course of the year. The team at Starscapes will actively collaborate with local communities, travel and tourism partners, as well as homestay communities, providing training and ongoing support to ensure successful implementation of these initiatives.
Shri. Sachin Kurve, IAS, Secretary, Tourism & CEO, Uttarakhand Tourism Board, said "With the launch of Nakshatra Sabha, our aim is to position Uttarakhand at the forefront of astro-tourism in India. This unique initiative, in collaboration with Starscapes, goes beyond promoting our state's natural beauty; it underscores our commitment to preserving our dark skies and fostering a deeper appreciation for the night sky among our communities. Nakshatra Sabha not only showcases Uttarakhand as an ideal destination for stargazing enthusiasts but also strengthens our efforts to build sustainable tourism practices that honor our cultural heritage and protect our environment. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the globe to experience the magic of Uttarakhand”
Ramashish Ray, Founder, Starscapes, said "Our journey with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has been one of shared vision and relentless dedication. From hosting astronomy camps to promoting stargazing through our Experience centres and Observatories across the state, we have witnessed an overwhelming response for our collaboration with the tourism board. It was this successful partnership that led us to conceptualize a unique campaign like Nakshatra Sabha.With 'Nakshatra Sabha', we aspire to not only showcase Uttarakhand as the premier astro-tourism destination but also cultivate grassroots competencies and communities who have a stake in the same.”
Key highlights of the Nakshatra Sabha include:
Stargazing through specialised equipment: Participants will have access to a wide array of specialised equipment and trained guides, providing unparalleled opportunities for stargazing and celestial observation.
Expert Talks on Astro tourism: Renowned leaders from the travel industry and academia will lead engaging sessions, sharing insights and knowledge about the wonders of the universe.
Astrophotography Contest: An exciting competition will challenge participants to showcase their skills in capturing the breathtaking beauty of the night sky, with attractive rewards up for grabs.
Special Solar Observations: In alignment with the sun's peak activity and the active Aditya mission, Nakshatra Sabha will feature special solar telescopes, offering participants unique opportunities for observation and exploration.
Dark Sky Policy: Astro Tourism is a win-win for local communities to economically benefit while preserving dark skies. The campaign will build awareness, train and create volunteers and dark sky ambassadors for the same
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