‘Astro village’ to come up in Nainital’s Bhimtal

HALDWANI: The tourism department has planned to set up an “astro village” in Nainital district’s Bhimtal block - a first of its kind initiative in Kumaon region.

The astro village, which will be developed in Takula village, is located at an altitude of 1,958m above sea level. The village will be providing a clear view of the night sky attracting tourists who could view the celestial bodies including stars, planets and others with the help of telescope to be installed by the district tourism department with the help of Nainital-based Aryabhatt Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES).

Arvind Gaur, district tourism officer of Nainital, said, “The initiative will attract tourists to the Takula village which is a favourable place for astro-tourism. The concept of the initiative is similar to the one on Scandinavian countries for Northern Lights which attract tourists from all over the world every year.”

“Located at an altitude of 1,958m, the village will provide a clear and mesmerising view of the night sky for the visitors for whom many other facilities would also be developed there,” said Gaur.

Terming the project an important one for the development of tourism in the district, he said the department had already submitted a proposal of ₹2.46cr for the project.

“The proposal has been approved by the government which has also disbursed ₹1.60cr for the development of village which includes a glass house and a cafe. Once completed, it will also be helpful in providing livelihood to the locals,” Gaur said, adding it will be Kumaon’s first astro-village.

Earlier, Chamoli district administration had announced to develop an astro-village in Benital village at an altitude of 2,600m at a cost of ₹5cr.