In an effort to emphasise the importance of conserving dark skies and cultivate a foundational understanding of astronomy among youth, consistent outreach programs were undertaken at schools both within and outside of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR). Special celestial occurrences such as solar eclipses were showcased, providing the public with opportunities to safely witness them through solar spectacles and live streaming facilitated by telescopes. For instance, a noteworthy event featuring a partial solar eclipse on October 25, 2022, was arranged in both Leh and Hanle. Local school students were specifically invited to partake in the Hanle event, while the Leh event was open to the general public.
Furthermore, to promote awareness regarding the significance of preserving dark skies, numerous lectures were delivered at college and university levels by the Engineer In-Charge at IAO Hanle to continue a sustained effort in this regard. Moreover, groups of students and institutions visiting the AO in Hanle are regularly hosted. They are given guided tours of the observatory along with interactive sessions covering fundamental astronomy concepts, followed by engaging question and answer segments. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing comprehension and appreciation of astronomy while underscoring the imperative of safeguarding dark skies for future generations. Remarkably, the visitor statistics for the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle during the period from 2022 to 2023 underscore the impact of these initiatives:
Notably, there has been a progressive increase in the number of visitors to IAO Hanle each year, indicating the growing reach and effectiveness of these initiatives.
The members of HDSR, and the staff of IAO, Hanle have been reaching out to the nearby communities and settlements that were once nomadic. The task of HDSR is to sensitize the villagers and tourists alike about the socio-economic aspects and benefits of the HDSR model.