Uttarakhand inaugurates “Nakshatra Sabha”, India’s first astro tourism campaign, ET TravelWorld

Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, in partnership with Starscapes, launched “Nakshatra Sabha,” the country’s first annual campaign dedicated to promoting astro-tourism. The inaugural event, held at George Everest Peak in Mussoorie, in the presence of Dipankar Bannerjee, Director, ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences), Prabhas Pandey, Professor, Delhi University, Aakash Sinha, Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Engineering, Shiv Nadar University, T V Venkateswaran from Vigyan Prasar, and Ramashish Ray, Founder, Starscapes.

Named after Sir George Everest, the peak played a pivotal role in India’s trigonometric survey crucial for accurate national mapping. Nain Singh Rawat, a local collaborator with Sir Everest, further strengthens the connection. This aligns with the recent inauguration of the country’s first cartography museum at Sir George Everest’s former residence.

Nakshatra Sabha promises a holistic astro-tourism experience. Activities include stargazing, solar observations, astrophotography contests and camping under the night sky. The year-long campaign will host immersive events across various locations in Uttarakhand, including regions with Dark Sky potential like Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Nainital and Chamoli. Educational seminars and webinars led by experts are also planned.

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 honour our cultural heritage and protect our environment. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the globe to experience the magic of Uttarakhand.”

Record-breaking year for Madhya Pradesh in tourism with over 110 mn visitors in 2023

According to data from the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC), the state received 112.1 million visitors from January to December 2023. This represents a remarkable surge compared to 2022, which saw 34.1 million tourists. The rise in tourism is attributed to the state’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and increasingly popular spiritual experiences.

The initiative aims to attract astronomy enthusiasts, adventurers and global travellers seeking to witness the cosmos. Importantly, it will empower local communities through skill development programs to enhance local economies. Sustainability is a key focus. The program advocates for dark sky preservation, fostering a network of ambassadors to promote conservation efforts throughout Uttarakhand. This includes formulating and implementing a dark sky preservation policy across the region. 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.”Starscapes will collaborate with local communities, travel partners and homestays to ensure successful program execution. Nakshatra Sabha positions Uttarakhand as a leader in India’s astro-tourism sector, offering a unique blend of astronomical exploration, cultural heritage and community development.