It is part of a larger plan to provide professional skills related to astro-tourism to more than 500 youth. symbolic
Jagran correspondent, Dehradun. In an important initiative towards strengthening the emerging astro-tourism sector in Uttarakhand, more than 200 local youth of the state have been trained and certified as astro-tourism guides. This training was given under the statewide skill development program run by Starscapes in collaboration with Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council and Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council.
Starscapes founder Ramashish Ray said the program is part of a larger plan to impart vocational skills related to astro-tourism to more than 500 youth over a period of six months. At the same time, Poonam Chand, Additional Director of Tourism Development Council, called it an initiative to simultaneously advance economic development and environmental protection in Uttarakhand. The initiative, supported by the Government of Uttarakhand, aims to promote sustainable tourism and dark-sky conservation by connecting local youth with employment-oriented skills.
Holistic Training from Astronomy to Hospitality
The training course covers basics of astronomy and the night sky, practical training in telescope operation, guided stargazing and basic astrophotography with mobile phones and beginner cameras. Along with this, the participants are also being trained on dark-sky conservation, responsible tourism, hospitality skills, storytelling and community-led tourism models, so that they can independently conduct astro-tourism experiences. According to Monica Rawat, a certified astro-tourism guide from Rishikesh, this training has given her the confidence to conduct stargazing sessions and earn additional income through her homestay.
Training workshops have been conducted in many areas of the state
So far, training sessions have been conducted in Munsiyari, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Ramnagar, Lohaghat and Pithoragarh. In the coming time, workshops will also be organized in other dark-sky areas including Lansdowne, Karnaprayag, Almora, Nainital, Chopta.
Community-based tourism will get a boost
This initiative specifically targets local youth and homestay operators to enable them to integrate experiences like stargazing into tourism activities to earn additional income while ensuring the preservation of Uttarakhand's clean and natural night sky.
The program will run till March 2026
This program, which started in October 2025, will run till March 2026. The participants who complete the training are being awarded a government-recognized certification from THAC, which will enable them to participate in future community-based astro-tourism initiatives along with better employment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector.
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