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Tamil Nadu Launches First Dark Sky Park at Kolli Hills
Tamil Nadu Forests Minister launched the State’s first Dark Sky Park at Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest in Kolli Hills, Namakkal district, at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The park has been established to enable sky observation with minimal artificial light pollution.
Dark Sky Park:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | Protected area with minimal artificial light pollution. |
| Celestial Observation | Provides clear observation of celestial phenomena including stars, planets, the moon and the Milky Way galaxy. |
| Ideal Conditions | Locations with naturally dark skies, dry weather and clear cloudless nights. |
| Ecological and Educational Value | Protects nocturnal wildlife from disruption, preserves the natural and cultural heritage of star-filled skies and provides for astronomy education and responsible tourism. |
| Location of Tamil Nadu Dark Sky Park | Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest in Kolli Hills, Namakkal district. |
| Terrain Characteristics | Kolli Hills comprises elevated terrain, dense forest and low light pollution. |
| Operational Period | Operates from 15 January to 15 June and remains closed during the monsoon season. |
| Light-Free Zone | Artificial lighting restricted within a radius of 1.5 kilometres around Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest. |
| Infrastructure | Comprises three telescopes for sky-watching sessions and solar panels for power. |
| India’s First Dark Sky Park | Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra comprises the first Dark Sky Park in India and the fifth in Asia. |
| Types of International Dark Sky Places | Comprises International Dark Sky Parks, Dark Sky Reserves and International Dark Sky Sanctuaries recognised by the International Dark-Sky Association. |
| Dark Sky Reserve Example | Hanle Dark Sky Reserve centred around the Indian Astronomical Observatory. |