Extensive consultations were conducted between all the stakeholders in the region to pave the way towards the setting up of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve.Initial discussions with the UT administration were held in July 2021, followed by a further meeting in September. The first round of community consultation was held in October of 2021, when a team of representatives from the Indian Astronomical Observatory, the Wildlife Department, and SECURE Himalayas met with the villagers and briefed them about the idea behind a dark sky reserve, the need to curb light pollution, and the potential benefits of astro-tourism to the local community. Certain apprehensions and concerns were raised by the villagers, which were discussed and debated openly, following which, some operational principles were proposed by them which were taken on board.
On the suggestion of the community, a second consultation was organised later in October, with additional representatives from the administration at hand for clarifications and discussions. A broad consensus was reached, and soon after, the village elders signed the La Palma Declaration on 30 November 2021, a historic milestone towards the setting up of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve.
The next meeting was in June 2022 with the village Numberdars and Executives to mobilise them to apply as beneficiaries for telescope distribution. Following this, a 24 villagers were identified through a selection process to become Astronomy Ambassadors and receive these telescopes. Later that month, the Tripartite MoU was signed between UT Ladakh, LAHDC Leh, and IIA on 16 June 2022.
Following this, astro-tourism has been increasing in HDSR, and apart from astro-tours being offered by the Ambassadors for a fee, the local homestays and other service providers in the community have been the beneficiaries of increasing astro-tourism. For better coordination, the HDSR Local Area Committee, with members from the Observatory, representatives of the Ambassadors, and the heads of all villages inside HDSR. This HLAC has been meeting regularly to discuss and resolve issues related to the smooth operation of astro-tourism and light management within the community.