Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra becomes Indias inaugural Dark Sky Park and the fifth in Asia

Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra holds a unique distinction as the first Dark Sky Park in India and the fifth in Asia. The Pench Tiger Reserve, also called Pench National Park, is the first tiger reserve in India to span two states, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. It is regarded as one of India's top tiger reserves. Rudyard Kipling's well-known novels, The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book, are based on this area. Pench was chosen as the first Dark Sky Park because of the need to protect the night sky from light pollution.

In addition to ecotourism and jungle safaris, the Pench Tiger Reserve is getting ready to provide astronomy talks, courses, workshops, and stargazing excursions. A dark-sky preserve is a region that restricts artificial light pollution; they are usually found around parks or observatories. Endorsing astronomy is usually the dark-sky movement's main goal. Operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) is a high-altitude astronomy station located in Hanle and is the country's first dark-sky sanctuary.

Located at 4,500 metres (14,764 feet) in the Western Himalayas, the IAO is one of the highest locations for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes worldwide. Its status as the first and eighth Dark Sky Parks in Asia and India attests to its dedication to protecting the pristine night sky. It has been suggested that national and municipal governments create "Dark Sky Oases" by the International Astronomical Union-led Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society Working Group. Lighting regulations, retrofits that are compatible with the dark sky, outreach, and education, and night sky monitoring are the main areas of emphasis for the Dark Sky Place accreditation.