Tamil Nadu established its first Dark Sky Park in Kolli Hills’ Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest to curb light pollution, protect nocturnal biodiversity, and promote astro-tourism. Inspired by Hanle, Ladakh, it combines conservation, research, and community livelihoods, highlighting the need for a national policy to preserve natural night skies.
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Picture Courtesy: THE HINDU
Context
The Tamil Nadu government has launched the state's first Dark Sky Park in the Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest in Kolli Hills, Namakkal district, to protect the night sky from light pollution.
What is a Dark Sky Park?
A Dark Sky Park is a protected area—either publicly or privately owned—that possesses exceptional starry nights and a nocturnal environment specifically shielded from artificial light pollution.
These parks serve several crucial functions:
Key Characteristics
Minimal Light Pollution: These areas restrict artificial light by using DarkSky Approved lighting (e.g., shielded, downward-facing fixtures) to prevent "sky glow".
Stargazing Access: They provide public programs and facilities, such as observatories or advanced telescopes, to help visitors observe celestial bodies like the Milky Way, planets, and distant galaxies.
Ecological Protection: Preserving darkness is critical for nocturnal wildlife (e.g., bats, owls, and fireflies) whose hunting, migration, and breeding patterns are disrupted by artificial light.
Certification: Most are certified by DarkSky International (formerly the International Dark-Sky Association) as part of their International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) program.
Examples
India's First: The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra became India's first Dark Sky Park in 2024.
World's First: Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah, USA, was the first to receive this designation in 2007.
Utah, USA: Currently holds the highest concentration of certified Dark Sky Parks and Communities globally, including iconic sites like Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Source: THE HINDU
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which organization is responsible for granting the official 'Dark Sky Park' certification? A) The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) B) The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) C) DarkSky International (formerly International Dark-Sky Association) D) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Answer: B Explanation: The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), now known as DarkSky International, is the global authority responsible for the International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) program. |
A Dark Sky Park is a designated area protected for its exceptional starry nights. Its primary purpose is to minimize artificial light pollution to preserve the natural darkness of the sky, which aids in the conservation of nocturnal ecosystems and allows for pristine astronomical observation.
Artificial light at night (ALAN) disrupts the natural circadian rhythms of animals. It can disorient migratory birds that use stars for navigation, interfere with the mating rituals of amphibians, and prove fatal for insects, thereby disrupting entire ecosystems.
Astro-tourism is a niche form of tourism where people travel to locations with clear, dark skies for stargazing, astrophotography, and other astronomical events. The Kolli Hills park, with its advanced telescopes, is designed to promote this form of sustainable tourism.
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