Astro enthusiasts, rejoice! Benital in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, is set to host India’s first Astro Village. The month-long Benital Astro Camp, in collaboration with Starscapes, will take place from May 19-21 and will offer visitors a never-before astronomy experience.
The Astro Party will kick off the month-long camp, and visitors can expect to engage in a host of exciting activities, including stargazing, astro photography, solar observations, astronomy tambola, rocketry making, and constellation viewing, among others.
The location of Benital makes it an ideal destination for astro-tourism. The village is situated at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level and is known for its minimal human activities and low light pollution, making it an excellent spot for stargazing. Visitors can expect a quiet and peaceful holiday where they can observe the beauty of the night sky and its celestial bodies without any interference from artificial lights.
Starscapes, India's leading astro-tourism company, is actively working towards promoting Dark Sky locations in India to boost interest in astro-tourism. As a member of the International Dark Sky Advocate Network, the company is advocating for the implementation of dark sky regulations across India to raise awareness about light pollution and its impact on the environment.
Ramashish Ray, founder of Starscapes, expressed his excitement about the event and said, "The Benital Astro Camp is a unique opportunity for tourists and astronomy enthusiasts to explore the beauty of the night sky while also supporting the development of sustainable tourism practices in the region."
For those who are just starting their astro-journey, the Benital Astro Camp is an excellent opportunity to witness the beauty of the night sky. Local guides and astronomy experts will be present to help visitors navigate the celestial bodies in the sky. The camp offers telescopes, binoculars, and other equipment to assist in observing the night sky.
The Uttarakhand government's plan to develop Benital as India's first Astro Village is a significant step towards promoting astro-tourism in India. The region's unique location and dark sky make it an ideal destination for astronomy enthusiasts and those looking to witness the beauty of the night sky.