Guwahati, Jan 8:In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has stepped beyond daytime safaris to explore the universe above.
The two-day “Cosmic Kaziranga – Stargazing & Astro-guide Training Camp”, held on January 5–6 at Rhinoland Park, Burrapahar, signals the park’s entry into sustainable astro-tourism—an emerging, low-impact model that blends conservation, science, and livelihoods.
The programme brought together young learners, conservation professionals, frontline women guards (Van Durgas), and astronomy experts to explore how dark skies can complement wildlife tourism without disturbing fragile habitats.
The camp opened with an interactive evening session led by members of the Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers Association (PRAG). Dr. Kishor Kumar Baruah and Dr. Jyotimoni Neog Baruah highlighted how astro-tourism can create a unique “learn and earn” ecosystem—training local youth as astro-guides while enriching visitor experiences.
Joint Secretary Sanjib Kumar Sarma set the tone for the night, sparking curiosity that soon shifted skyward.
As darkness fell, Andaman Stargazing founder Udhay Bhasker led hands-on constellation walks and night-sky navigation.
Telescopes trained on planets and stars transformed the forest terrace into an open-air observatory, blending science with storytelling.
Day two focused on astro-photography, with Cosmic Wonders’s Rajib Lochan Sarma demonstrating techniques to photograph planets, star clusters, and deep-sky objects. His visual-rich session showed how even basic equipment, when used correctly, can unlock breathtaking views of the cosmos—opening creative and professional avenues for participants.
Experts underlined that dark skies are a natural asset—much like forests and wetlands. With strict control on light and noise pollution, astro-tourism can extend visitor stays beyond daytime safaris
,reduce pressure on core wildlife zones, create new, conservation-friendly jobs for local youth, strengthen awareness about biodiversity and night-time ecology.
Drawing inspiration from dark-sky destinations in Chile, New Zealand, Namibia, and the Andamans, “Cosmic Kaziranga” reimagines tourism as a day–night experience: wildlife and nature interpretation by day, guided stargazing by night.
The initiative positions Kaziranga as a pioneer in blending conservation, community livelihoods, and cosmic science—proving that protecting the wild can also mean protecting the stars above it.
Also Read: When climate change hit Meghalaya, villages turned to old knowledge
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