Leh: In a significant step towards preserving Ladakh’s pristine night skies and promoting eco-friendly tourism, the UT Administration of Ladakh has constituted an Eco-Development Committee (EDC) for the management of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve.
The committee has been formed under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Administration of UT Ladakh (as the nodal agency), the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, on behalf of the Hanle community, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
The EDC will oversee the overall management of the Dark Sky Reserve, including regulating visitor entry, ensuring adherence to Dark Sky guidelines, and managing entry fee collections.
The funds collected will be utilized for conservation, local community welfare, and maintaining the site.
Members of the committee include the Wildlife Warden Leh as Chairperson, Councillor Nyoma (LAHDC Leh), the Assistant Director of the Tourism Department Leh, a representative from the Indian Astronomical Observatory, and the Nambardar of Hanle village.
The committee may also co-opt local homestay owners, youth groups, or NGOs as additional members or advisors.
This move marks another milestone in Ladakh’s efforts to balance ecological conservation with sustainable tourism, positioning Hanle as a global destination for astro-tourism and environmental awareness.
