In a significant step towards preserving the natural night environment and promoting astro-tourism, Uttarakhand Tourism, in collaboration with Starscapes, launched the Dark Sky Conclave at Corbett Solitaire Resort, Dhela, Ramnagar on March 22, 2025.
The two-day event aimed to raise awareness about light pollution and its impact on the ecosystem while promoting opportunities for stargazing and astronomy enthusiasts.
An astronomy enthusiast and the founder of Starscapes, Ramashish Ray told THE WEEK, "First and foremost, if we talk about astrotourism, it is a niche concept. However, in the relentless push for development, it has become a necessity. It connects us to our primal instincts—our roots. There was a reason humanity evolved the way it did; we looked up at the skies."
Ray also thinks that someone should take the lead on this. Therefore he wants to infuse soul into astrotourism. "We don’t just want to create an industry—we want to build a legacy."
Known for its work in astronomy-based tourism, Starscapes will conduct guided night-sky observation sessions, workshops, and expert talks, allowing visitors to explore the wonders of the cosmos. The conclave is expected to draw astronomers, environmentalists, and travellers interested in celestial experiences.
Asked about the possibility of success of such models in terms of profitability, Piyush Pandey, former director of the Nehru Planetarium in Mumbai, said that such astrophysical things stir up the imagination of children in their formative years. Therefore, people, particularly parents, are willing to spend money for their kids to have some inspiration, as well as to get the knowledge of astronomy and the sky," adding that the prospects of it were unimaginable 20 years back.
The event featured an esteemed lineup of other guest speakers, including renowned astronomer and engineer-in-charge at Indian Astronomical Observatory Hanle, Dorje Angchuk from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Leh, and dark sky activist Anmol Tikoo, who is currently doing a project on tribal astronomy in Ladakh.
Additionally, the event welcomed several passionate astronomy enthusiasts, including Smriti Mahajan, Kamakshi Maheshwari, Kabir Vajpeyi, Rashmi Sheoran, Samir Dhurde, and T.V. Venkateswaran, who enriched the discussions with their insights and expertise.
