In a visionary step blending scientific curiosity with grassroots economic empowerment, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday formally inaugurated a pioneering stargazing and Astro-tourism initiative in Kaza, nestled in the high-altitude cold desert of Spiti Valley. The programme, a first-of-its-kind in the region, aims to turn the region’s pristine night skies into a window of opportunity for the local tribal communities, especially the youth and homestay entrepreneurs, by promoting astronomy-based tourism.
The launch was spearheaded under the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE), operating under the State’s Department of Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change. At the heart of this unique initiative lies a strong commitment to harnessing Spiti’s rare geographical advantage—clear, unpolluted night skies with high-altitude clarity—to open up new livelihood avenues for the region’s tribal population through Astro-tourism.
In a symbolic and functional gesture, Chief Minister Sukhu distributed two high-end computerized Sky-Watcher BKDOB 8” Collapsible GOTO telescopes to selected local beneficiaries at Kaza, while others joined the programme remotely. These telescopes will be used by trained locals to host guided stargazing sessions for visiting tourists, creating a niche yet powerful tourism model rooted in science, sustainability, and self-reliance.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasized the broader vision of the project—an integration of science with culture. He underscored that such efforts represent a new chapter in the State’s developmental journey, particularly in ecologically sensitive and remote tribal belts like Spiti. He acknowledged the enthusiastic participation of locals from Kaza, Langza, and Rangrik who are stepping forward to embrace this initiative and will be supported with both equipment and formal training in astronomy and hospitality.
Shri Sukhu hailed this effort as more than a tourism project—it is a cultural transformation aligned with scientific awakening. He said that the night skies of Spiti, among the clearest and least light-polluted in the world, offer a tremendous opportunity for not just tourism, but education, scientific learning, and intercultural exchange. “This initiative will not only create jobs but will inspire a new kind of engagement with the cosmos for locals and visitors alike,” he remarked.
The programme has also taken an institutionalized shape with the recent signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between HIMCOSTE, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), and the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP). This collaboration ensures the technical and scientific credibility of the project while promising long-term sustainability through continued guidance, research, and knowledge exchange.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena highlighted that the seed of this concept was envisioned by Chief Minister Sukhu himself in August 2023, recognizing the untapped potential of combining Astro-tourism with community-led models in remote Himalayan zones. He added that the programme will be run with operational support from the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Spiti at Kaza.
The Astro-tourism launch marks a significant paradigm shift not just for Spiti, but for India’s broader efforts to democratize science and integrate it with sustainable development. It brings together environment-conscious policy, tribal empowerment, and a celebration of India’s growing space curiosity—all under the vast, starlit Himalayan sky.
The launch ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries including local MLA Anuradha Rana, Principal Advisor to CM (Media) Naresh Chauhan, ADGPs Satwant Atwal and Abhishek Trivedi, and Special Secretary D.C. Rana among others, reflecting the State’s high-level commitment to innovation-driven regional upliftment.
As this Astro-tourism model unfolds, Himachal Pradesh sets a national benchmark for turning its natural and cultural wealth into a sustainable future for its people—where tradition meets telescope, and the stars become a livelihood.
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