The starry night sky, once a familiar sight, is becoming increasingly on the move. As urban areas continue to flood the skies with artificial light, it is making it difficult to experience the celestial wonders visually. Light pollution now forces stargazers to travel far by crossing oceans and hiking mountains just to catch a clear view of the cosmos.
Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, Nepal can also be an ideal destination for astro-tourism. There are parts of the country yet to access the power grid. The inhospitable northern region is free from light pollution. And it will likely remain dark, preserving it as a potential dark-sky destination.
According to international standards, any place where 1,500 stars or the plane of the Milky Way can be seen without optical aid qualifies as a dark-sky destination. And, in many locations, Nepal meets these standards. For instance, Uranus is visible without special equipment from Rara National Park in the Himalayan Mountains.
Awareness of the need for dark-sky sites surged after UNESCO declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. Worldwide interest in astronomy-related books, movies, and cultural products increased, as did sales of telescopes and other astronomical equipment.
Nepal could capitalise on this momentum by promoting astro-tourism in its remote areas focused on significant astronomical events such as planetary conjunctions, eclipses, and meteor showers. Moreover, astro-tourism can transform it into a hub for scientific research, encouraging young Nepalis to explore the field of astronomy. Government investment in astro-tourism will bring numerous benefits to the country.
One deeply concerning yet often overlooked issue is light pollution. Not many people appear to know about it or comprehend what it means. As Ghimire (2023) aptly states, “Unlike odour, glare, or airborne particles, light pollution often goes unaddressed because its impacts are not instantly visible.” This delayed visibility is precisely what makes the issue so easy to ignore.
However, there is a glaring problem. Housing construction on the valley’s periphery over the past decade has intensified the glow and diminished the beautiful dark sky. People now must go to the Himalayas, far from any city, to observe the Milky Way.
“We cannot point the telescope at the sky above Kathmandu due to the nighttime glow.” Saroj Raj Shahi, the manager of the BP Koirala Observatory, Nepal’s only national observatory, notes.
The glare from Kathmandu and local light pollution from hotels in Nagarkot limit the clear view for observers.
According to the 2016 ‘World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness’, 80% of the world’s population lives under skyglow, a trend mirrored in Nepal with increasing migration to cities like Kathmandu.
People often overlook light pollution because they don’t immediately notice its effects, unlike other forms of pollution. Moreover, experts worry that future generations will lose interest in studying astronomy if they can’t see the stars.
“I don’t think it will lessen the interest in young children,” Shahi says and adds. “But yes, to see genuine stars away from their books and digital displays, one needs to take a day off or climb to the hills at the edges of the valley.”
For quality tourism, this should not become the norm, and the night sky should be easily watchable.
Gyan Neupane, a tourism expert and professor at Arizona State University, states, “Our remoteness is our resource. Instead of imitating the West, we should preserve what we have, including the darkness of our night sky.
The problem goes beyond aesthetics or tourism to include important environmental resources. Few locations still offer a clear view of the night sky as light pollution spreads throughout the world.
One unique advantage of Nepal’s isolation is its abundance of often-underappreciated resources. The natural beauty and pristine darkness of our night skies are what define us, and it is vital to prioritise their preservation in times like these.
Sudipa Mahato is a junior editor with Nepal Connect.