In an innovative move to diversify tourism and ease pressure on its sensitive ecosystems, Assam's Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) is turning its gaze skywards. Park officials have announced the promotion of astro-tourism as a strategic way to encourage longer visitor stays without increasing disturbance in the park's core wildlife zones.
Cosmic Kaziranga: Blending Stars and Conservation
This week, the park took a concrete step forward by hosting the two-day "Cosmic Kaziranga – Stargazing & Astro-guide Training Camp" at Rhinoland Park in Burrapahar. The event positioned dark-sky experiences as an ecologically sensitive add-on to the traditional wildlife tourism model. While astro-tourism is well-established in Western countries, it remains an emerging concept in India, and Kaziranga is now at the forefront of this movement.
The initiative draws inspiration from successful models in Chile, New Zealand, Namibia, and the Andaman Islands, where pristine dark skies are treated as valuable natural assets. The goal is to promote day-and-night tourism, seamlessly combining daytime safaris and nature walks with guided stargazing sessions after dark.
A Strategy for Sustainability and Employment
KNPTR Field Director Sonali Ghosh explained the multifaceted benefits of this approach. "This approach can extend visitor stays, reduce pressure on core areas, and encourage longer, more meaningful engagement," she stated. The programme specifically focuses on diversifying visitor activities and generating youth employment opportunities, all while avoiding increased human activity in key wildlife areas during sensitive hours.
Experts at the camp emphasized a critical prerequisite: controlling light and sound pollution around the protected area. They noted that artificial lighting not only disrupts the natural behaviors of wildlife but also severely diminishes the visibility of the night sky. Ghosh expressed confidence in astro-tourism's future in Kaziranga, particularly in its peripheral zones with minimal light pollution. "Responsible astro-tourism can therefore support biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness while creating local jobs and reconnecting people with the night sky," she added.
Uniting Culture, Science, and Community
The "Cosmic Kaziranga" camp was designed as a holistic project intertwining conservation, culture, science, and sustainability. It aimed to strengthen the park's unique identity by developing stargazing, astrophotography, and astro-tourism as a low-impact model supported by the region's clear, dark skies.
"This initiative united young participants, conservation professionals, frontline women (Van Durga), and astronomy experts to explore how night-sky experiences can complement wildlife tourism, advance conservation, and boost local livelihoods," Ghosh elaborated. The camp commenced with a dedicated evening session for youth, featuring talks from Dr. Kishor Kumar Baruah, President of the Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers Association (PRAG), Guwahati, and Dr. Jyotimoni Neog Baruah, an executive member of PRAG. They discussed how astro-tourism can merge "learning and earning" through experiential cosmic education.
Dr. Kishor Kumar Baruah highlighted the unique cultural angle, suggesting that Kaziranga can offer stargazing linked to the rich mythological and cultural traditions of Northeast India. "By introducing stargazing and astrophotography, the park invites visitors to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of the night sky," he said.
The camp featured several practical and educational sessions:
- Sanjib Kumar Sarma, PRAG Joint Secretary, delivered a presentation on the Solar System, focusing on planetary and stellar features.
- Udhay Bhasker, Founder of Andaman Stargazing, led a hands-on session on identifying constellations and navigating the night sky, with telescopes set up for live observations complemented by storytelling.
- Astrophotographer Rajib Lochan Sarma of Cosmic Wonders praised Kaziranga's potential, stating, "Kaziranga's unspoiled dark skies unlock astrophotography’s magic... Minimal light pollution elevates it as Assam’s premier stargazing haven." He emphasized that the park's pristine conditions reveal the vivid Milky Way, allowing constellations to blend seamlessly with its iconic wildlife heritage.
This pioneering step by Kaziranga National Park marks a significant shift towards sustainable, multi-dimensional ecotourism that values the protection of both terrestrial and celestial environments.
