Question

Which one of the following States has established its first Dark Sky Park to promote Astro tourism and preserve the night sky?

• A. Tripura
• B. Odisha
• C. Rajasthan
• D. Tamil Nadu

Hint:

Do not confuse India's first Dark Sky Reserve (Hanle, Ladakh) with individual state initiatives to develop local Dark Sky Parks across arid or semi-arid forest reserves like those in Rajasthan.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: A Dark Sky Park is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory, that restricts artificial light pollution to preserve clear night skies for astronomical observation. These parks promote "Astro-tourism", drawing researchers, star-gazers, and eco-tourists to remote locations with minimal light signatures.

Step 1: Evaluate regional efforts in India for dark sky initiatives. While Ladakh holds India's first national Dark Sky Reserve at Hanle, individual states have been identifying distinct sanctuaries within their borders to set up dedicated tourism parameters.

Step 2: Analyze the state context. Rajasthan, utilizing its clear desert expanses, low-moisture air profiles, and sprawling wildlife buffer zones, established its specialized Dark Sky Park infrastructure to explicitly capture the growing Astro-tourism sector, setting strict nocturnal lighting regulations in the designated vicinity.

Step 3: Eliminate options. States with dense cloud coverage or high coastal humidity like Tamil Nadu or Odisha present less consistent astronomical viewing windows compared to the dry regions of Rajasthan. Therefore, Option (C) is the correct choice.