Spiti cold desert to turn into stargazers' paradise as Himachal eyes tourism boost

The Himachal Pradesh government is launching an ambitious astro-tourism initiative in the cold desert of Spiti, aiming to leverage the region's pristine night skies for economic growth and community empowerment, The Tribune reported.

In a novel programme, the state is establishing a stargazing facility in Kaza and promoting the unique offering across the high-altitude districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur. The project is designed to capitalise on Spiti's minimal light pollution and exceptional atmospheric clarity, positioning it as a premier destination for astronomy enthusiasts.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu heralded the move as a "new beginning that will strengthen the local economy by attracting more tourists to the area." The initiative forms a key part of a broader strategy to foster sustainable tourism in the region.

Crucially, the project is structured to directly involve local communities. According to an official spokesperson cited by The Tribune, the drive to promote sky-gazing will actively "rope in local homestays and hotel owners to take the benefit of the project." This model is intended to ensure that tourism revenue benefits residents directly.

To kickstart the activity, the Chief Minister has already provided high-end computerised telescopes, known as 'sky-watchers', to local beneficiaries. These instruments will be used by youth in Kaza, Rangrik and the village of Langza to conduct night sky observations for visitors, creating new employment opportunities.

The potential for tourist footfall is significant. Data indicates that by July of this year, Spiti and Langza had already welcomed 158,580 domestic and 4,570 foreign tourists.

A key focal point of the astro-tourism push is Langza. Perched at over 14,500 feet, the village is often called the "Fossil Village" due to the abundance of million-year-old marine fossils in its surroundings, which offer a glimpse into the geological formation of the Himalayas. This unique heritage, combined with its pristine environment and near-zero light pollution, makes it an ideal location for the initiative.

In a parallel development with substantial economic implications, the state government is making "all-out efforts to open border tourism," The Tribune reported. This follows an agreement between India and China to reopen border trade and resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Shipki La pass in Kinnaur district.

The Union Ministry of Tourism has formally communicated to the Chief Minister that Shipki La will be added as an additional route for the sacred Mansarovar pilgrimage.

The state government will now pursue the matter with the Union Commerce Ministry to complete the necessary formalities for restarting trade through the pass, a move expected to provide a major boost to the local economy.