Context

• Union Minister Jitendra Singh, speaking at a function organised here on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the establishment of Ladakh, said that the Dark Sky Reserve being created in Ladakh will be the first Night Sky Sanctuary in South East Asia.

Key Points

• The Dark Sky Reserve will be located in Hanle village in eastern Ladakh as a part of the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Spread over 1,073 square kilometres, the Night Sky Reserve is located in the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, the world's second highest optical telescope of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, located at Hanle at an altitude of 4500 metres.
• This sanctuary is being established in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, which is affiliated with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

 Benefit

• It will boost astro-tourism in India and will be one of the top locations in the world for optical, infra-red and gamma-ray telescopes.
• Additionally the Dark Sky Reserve will attract astronomers, being one of only 15 or 16 of its kind in the world.

 Other efforts in this direction

• A tripartite MoU has been signed between the Union Territory (UT) Administration, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) to launch the Dark Space Reserve.

 Important facts for exam

Ladakh

• Establishment as a Union Territory - 31 October 2019
• Lieutenant Governor -BD Mishra

Important passes of Ladakh

• Khardung La Pass
• Chang La Pass
• Zoji La Pass
• Lachulung or Lungalacha Pass