Astro Tourism - Nature Based Tourism

पर्यावरणनाशेन नश्यन्ति सर्वजन्तव: ।

पवन: दुष्टतां याति प्रकृतिविकृतायते ।।

Tourism is growing and evolving up as an industry that contributes ample to the economy. Youths are carving their very innovative ways of developing tourism in much exotic manner. People, nowadays, spends huge on travelling and tourists fascination lies with new experiential and collecting memories. Social media offcourse playing an important character in tourism because youths want to explore new places less but posting the same on social media and elevating their followers and likes is more crucial. 

India's inbound tourism sector is experiencing a significant rebound, with foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in 2023 surging 64 per cent compared with 2022. This translates to 92,36,108 visitors between January and December 2023, compared with 64,37,467 in the same period of the previous year. If, such huge tourism industry brings sustainability then surely this would be an excellent embracing. Nature based tourism not only sustainable and environment friendly but enough competitive and people enjoy such adventurous and experiencial tours and trips. 

Whether Childhood summer vacation days or a romantic couple date under the sky, gazing at the moon 🌙 and twinkling stars and sometimes making the shapes of several constellations, all such imaginations has been filled us with immense pleasure and calmness. While older days people used to sleep under the sun and relish the feeling of immense pleasure. Countless memories in a lane and definitely this is a great stress booster and takes everyone of us aloof from all the hectic schedules and busy routines. Just a gaze brings lots of happiness and if same scene is available at our favourite travelling destination, it is like reaching on the cloud nine and certainly making eyes and soul shine. 

On contrary, nowadays with plenty of artificial lights and pollution in cities, it is quite impossible to see a clear sky let alone get a view of the stars and the constellations. So to bring back the “tradition”, Astro Tourism has been brought up as a solution

What exactly is Astro Tourism :- 

Astronomy tourism is a destination where artificial lights are replaced by the natural lights of sky equipped with millions of shinning and twinkling stars and constellations. Astronomy tourism focus on the criteria where no artificial light exists at night so that the tourist can experience gazing at clear skies. It refers to any kind of tourism that involves the night sky or visiting facilities related to astronomy like observatories, and combining that with a broader sense of ecotourism where interaction of visitors with nature is what they experience about. It is an eco-friendly initiative based on sustainable development. Astronomy tourism is evolving in villages and It attracts tourists and travelers towards remote areas as they are comparatively a lot less polluted and to an extent free from artificial lights. Tourists' always enjoys experiencial and adventurous destinations that connects people with the nature as such mesmerising view is not available in the cities. 

It allows the star gazers to enjoy watching the night sky without the interruption of light pollution. The trend is a massive success in the tourism sector and such tourism is supporting local people in generating the rural employment. It emphasis on curiosity building, enhancing cultural heritage and nature building. From the latter half of 2021 to now, there has been a huge spike in people opting for astro tourism. After travel resumed postpandemic, we have noticed a 30-40% rise in interest for this experience among travellers,” says Sonal Asgotraa, founder of Astrostays that provides astro stays in Ladakh region, in villages like Maan and Phyang. She adds how it becomes a whole some and thrilling experience for the tourists'. It is a further initiative of the Ministry of Tourism to discuss and explore ‘Nature based Tourism.’ The concept was promoted by the ministry through a webinar series called ‘Dekho Apna Desh.’ Rural areas are expected to be made the hotspots for Astro-Tourism. India's first astro tourism campaign 'Nakshatra Sabha' was inaugurated at the George Everest peak in Mussoorie, offering spectacular views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks and the Doon Valley. 

India's first night sky sanctuary is set to be established in Ladakh to boost Astrotourism in the country and to attract foreign researchers to work with high-altitude telescopes in the region. The Department of Science and Technology is undertakes to set up the proposed Dark Sky Reserve at Ladakh's Hanle as part of the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. This will be one of the world’s highest-located sites for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes which will boost Astro Tourism in India. 

Astro-parks are also developing in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, and Jaipur, which is introduced by the State Department of Art and Culture. 

Other such places where Astro-parks are being developed:

Pangong Lake, Ladakh.

Nubra Valley, Leh Ladakh.

Rann of Katch, Gujarat.

Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar.

AstroTourism Way Forward

Star gazing can be an experience of a lifetime. Hence one needs to be equipped to enjoy every bit and avoid any discomfort. Some things that need to be kept in mind before visiting would be to check the weather and dress suitably as the temperature can increase or decrease anytime. 

Astro tourism is going to be one of the most preferred tourist activities in the coming years and India can be a hub of tourists and researchers in the field of Astro Tourism.