Hanle’s Dark Skies Draw Tourists—But Growing Tourism Threatens the View

Visitor numbers in Hanle have soared, partly because of social media posts showcasing its spectacular night sky and its location on the route to Umrin La, one of the world’s highest motorable passes.

However, increased tourism also brings more traffic, construction and artificial light—all of which threaten the darkness that attracts visitors to Hanle.

Managing Tourism to Protect Hanle’s Night Sky

Sonam Jolfail, senior engineer and head of outreach at the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), says tourism creates jobs and supports development in Hanle. But, she adds, growth must be managed to protect the region’s dark skies.

“They bridge the gap between the scientific community and the general public, local residents and visitors,” Jolfail said.

Residents Notice Changes in Hanle’s Dark Skies

Longtime residents say Hanle’s night sky is already changing. Padma’s father, Dhuntup Chamchot, who is in his 70s, remembers when the sky was even darker.

“Back then, if the weather was nice, people often slept outside under the blue sky,” he says.

Young women in Hanle also regularly bring their families out to stargaze.

“We often show our families the night sky through our telescopes, and now they enjoy looking at the night sky,” says Yandle, one of Hanle’s astronomy ambassadors. “Whenever one of us takes even one day off, our family asks why we didn’t set up a telescope,” she jokes.

Building a Future Around Astronomy

The women say they have no intention of leaving Hanle or its dark skies. They hope advanced training, along with better telescopes and eyepieces, will improve the experience for visitors.

Four years ago, this equipment was unfamiliar to them. Today, they are building their future around the stars.