Panel Session 2.1

Author: Sonal Asgotraa
Affiliation: Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE)
Country: India

Co-Author(s): Paras Loomba
Affiliation: Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE)
Country: India

Title: Astronomy for Himalayan Livelihood Creation

Lack of electricity, education and access to income are critical problems surrounding all the remote Himalayan communities with income levels ranging around $600 per annum per family. But they have a powerful resource which has never been used to bring about change and growth – Their Clear Night Skies. With the aim to leverage astronomy as a key developmental intervention in Ladakh, our Social Enterprise, Global Himalayan Expedition’s Initiative – Astronomy for Himalayan Livelihood creation (AHLC) – promotes astronomy as a means to further develop the economy of the remote villages of Ladakh by creating Astro-Homestays – a unique form of sustainable tourism that creates economic benefits for these remote communities.
AHLC three key areas:
• Women run Astro- Homestays
The Astro Homestays are run by local village women, trained on basics of astronomy. Each women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) is provided a telescope and on an average earn $300 per month/group. Empowering these women entrepreneurs through astronomy has helped reduce the gap of gender equality in their existing social system.
• Astronomy for Differently abled people
GHE has trained eight differently-abled people on Astronomy and Telescope handling. They are now promoting night viewing sessions for tourists at their cafe. This has created honour and mutual respect for them among the society and generated inclusivity in the initiative.
• Scientific Temper among local students
To make it holistic, GHE is training the younger generation of the region at their schools to develop their scientific temper and interest. Six schools have signed up for monthly visits to Astro Homestays

The Project is responding to multiple UN SDGs & creating a holistic sustainable development model.
SDG 1: Overall mission of the project is to remove poverty by using technology astronomy and tourism as means to do it.
SDG 4: Introduction of Astronomy among school students’ is helping them enhance their horizon towards science
SDG 5: The women entrepreneurs are now treated as breadwinners for their family
SDG 7: The Astro Solar Homestays provides these villagers with access to clean energy
SDG 8: Women SHG’s and Differently abled people are now operating telescopes to show the night sky to tourists, creating an added revenue generation model.
SDG 10: Tourists from all over the globe are visiting these low-income villages