Introduction: a village transformed by the night sky
High above the plains of Ladakh, the village of Hanle sits under what locals call a sky so dark it earns the status of a dark sky reserve. Since 2022 this remote corner of India has become a beacon for stargazing, thanks to a pioneering program that trains residents as astro-ambassadors. They welcome visitors, guide them through celestial displays, and help safeguard the night sky that makes Hanle a world-class astronomy hub.
Meet the astro-ambassadors
Among the ambassadors is 28-year-old Tsering Dolkar, who sets up a telescope on a tripod as golden light fades and a tapestry of stars emerges. Dressed in a warm jacket, she becomes the conduit between the sky and curious tourists, announcing planets and constellations in accessible language. Dolkar is just one of 25 villagers—18 of them women—trained to share the night’s wonders and to host visitors in their homes, turning stargazing into a livelihood.
A livelihood and a culture reborn
Dolkar’s home has become a small homestay: a week of training, and now a room where visitors pay roughly £17 per person per night. In Hanle, tourism has blossomed into a practical boon, reviving local economies and keeping families rooted in their homeland. Women like Dolkar and 25-year-old Padma Chamchot are at the forefront, proving that this isn’t just tourism—it’s empowerment. Chamchot notes that the work pays more in a week than many city jobs offer, even with seasonal road closures, underscoring how star-guided livelihoods can coexist with tradition.
Linking science with heritage
The ambassadors’ work goes beyond telling visitors where Venus sits in the western sky. They are reconstructing a link between astronomy and Ladakhi heritage, reviving elders’ knowledge that once governed timekeeping and navigation. “We’re finding striking parallels between scientific findings and our elders’ constellation knowledge,” explains Dolkar, who now speaks about the summer triangle as a modern rendition of a cherished seasonal signal. Even the monastery’s head monk has joined the effort, blending meditation with telescope-guided tours to remind visitors that science and spirituality can share a single night sky.
Science infrastructure and community building
Hanle’s ascent as a dark sky reserve is inseparable from the presence of the Himalayan Chandra telescope and other observatories perched on Digpa-ratsa Ri. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics, along with local authorities, has grown the program so that the ambassadors receive hands-on telescope access and a platform to showcase their culture. The initiative has drawn thousands of visitors and cultivated a vibrant network of homestays—roughly 70 now—creating a model that links research infrastructure with rural development.
Challenges and the road ahead
Despite the success, the skies face threats. Hanle’s Bortle 1 darkness is a delicate balance; light pollution from military facilities and occasional cars with bright headlights can intrude on the pristine view. Dorjey, a leading ambassador, warns that rising tourism could outpace protections if vigilance fades. He urges continued collaboration with authorities and mindful behavior from visitors to preserve the starry landscape that makes Hanle unique.
Conclusion: when the universe opens a door
For many Hanle residents, the night sky is not just a spectacle but a doorway—into learning, income, and cultural continuity. The astro-ambassadors embody a new frontier where science education, responsible tourism, and traditional knowledge converge in the Himalayas. As Dolkar puts it, “The universe has truly opened up for us,” a sentiment echoed by elders and visitors who leave with a deeper appreciation of the cosmos and a renewed sense of community responsibility.
