Pench Tiger Reserve: India’s first Dark Sky Park

Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has been designated as India’s first Dark Sky Park, aiming to safeguard the night sky and prevent light pollution.

About Pench Tiger Reserve: India’s first Dark Sky Park:

• Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has been designated as India’s first Dark Sky Park and the fifth in Asia.
• The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) awarded Pench Tiger Reserve Dark Sky certification for efforts against light pollution, benefiting astronomers and wildlife.
• This recognition is aimed at preserving the night sky and preventing light pollution, creating an ideal environment for astronomy enthusiasts.
• Over 100 lights in nearby villages (Wagholi, Sillari, Pipariya, Khapa) replaced to reduce light pollution, aligning with night sky monitoring and lighting policy.
• Pench’s Dark Sky initiative offers a rare opportunity to witness celestial events, such as the alignment of Venus, Mercury, Mars, the Moon, and the star Antares, contributing to the promotion of astronomy.

About Dark Sky Park:

• Dark Sky Parks are protected natural areas owned either by the public or private sector.
• These parks implement effective outdoor lighting practices to minimize light pollution and often provide dark sky programs for visitors, fostering an appreciation for the pristine night sky.
• They not only provide a platform for stargazing but also ensures the preservation of the environment, as excessive artificial illumination can adversely impact nocturnal plants and animals.

About International Dark-Sky Association’s (IDA) Dark Sky Places program

• The IDA’s Dark Sky Places program includes various designations such as Dark Sky Communities, Dark Sky Parks, Dark Sky Reserves, and Dark Sky Sanctuaries, with the Pench Tiger Reserve falling under the Dark Sky Park category.
• The program provides third-party certification for lighting products and projects that reduce glare, limit light trespass, and minimize light pollution, promoting responsible outdoor lighting practices.

About Pench Tiger Reserve:

• Pench Tiger Reserve, also known as Pench National Park, is a prominent tiger reserve in India, distinguished as the first to span across two states: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• It is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh, and continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a separate Sanctuary.
• It derives its name from the Pench River, serving as its lifeline and contributing to its rich biodiversity.
• It has strong connectivity with neighboring reserves, including Kanha, Tadoba Andhari, Navegao-Nagjhira, and Bor Tiger Reserves.
• It serves as a habitat for a diverse range of floral and faunal species, including significant wildlife such as tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian gaurs, wild dogs, wolves, and more, typical of the central Indian region.

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