Garhwal Post Bureau
Ramnagar, 22 Jun: Uttarakhand took another significant step towards establishing itself as India’s leading astro-tourism destination with the successful conclusion of the pioneering Astro Tour Guide Training Programme. The initiative, jointly driven by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), and Starscapes Experience, culminated in a grand closing ceremony celebrating the achievements of more than 400 trained youth from across the state.
The ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests, including Poonam Chand, Additional Director of UTDB; Dr Sanjay Singh, Principal of IHM; and Deep Gunawat, Member of the Governing Board of the Marriott Group of Hotels. The event highlighted the transformative potential of astro-tourism as a sustainable tourism model capable of generating employment opportunities while promoting environmental conservation.
Over the course of the programme, 15 intensive workshops were conducted across Uttarakhand, introducing participants to the rapidly emerging field of astro-tourism. The training equipped aspiring guides with practical skills in astronomy interpretation, telescope handling, hospitality management, visitor engagement, and dark sky conservation, preparing them to serve a growing segment of travellers seeking immersive celestial experiences.
Speaking at the ceremony, Poonam Chand, Additional Director of UTDB, emphasised Uttarakhand’s vision of leveraging its pristine night skies as a unique tourism asset.
“Uttarakhand’s pristine night skies offer a unique opportunity to create sustainable tourism experiences while generating meaningful livelihoods for local communities. The Astro Tour Guide Training Programme was launched with this vision, making Uttarakhand the pioneer of astro-tourism skill development in India. It is immensely encouraging to see more than 400 young participants successfully complete this historic initiative. These graduates are not just tour guides; they are ambassadors of our dark skies and storytellers of Uttarakhand’s celestial heritage. I congratulate each one of them and wish them great success as they help position Uttarakhand on the global astro-tourism map.”
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the commemorative photobook, A Quiet Story, led by Chand. The publication showcases memorable moments from the training programme, featuring photographs of participating batches, stunning night sky images captured by trainees, and breathtaking deep-sky astrophotography that reflects Uttarakhand’s remarkable celestial heritage.
Ramashish Ray, Founder & CEO, Starscapes, shared his views, “The Astro Tour Guide Training Programme represents a powerful blend of conservation, community empowerment, and sustainable tourism. Through our partnership with UTDB and THSC, we have helped equip local youth with specialised skills that transform Uttarakhand’s extraordinary night skies into meaningful livelihood opportunities. We are grateful for the support of our partners and proud to see a new generation of astro-tourism ambassadors ready to inspire visitors while promoting dark sky conservation.”
