Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 22 October 2025
The second leg of the Astro-tourism Guide Training Workshop commenced at Shaheed Dweep on Tuesday, organized by the Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism in collaboration with the Open Space Foundation and C-STERC. The workshop, attended by 53 participants, aims to strengthen and sustain the islands’ growing astro-tourism ecosystem.
Following the success of the first workshop in Sri Vijaya Puram, this phase emphasizes leveraging existing astro-tourism infrastructure and enhancing local capacity. Shaheed Dweep, already a pioneer in astro-tourism with more than 15 telescopes installed across resorts and tourism ventures, is being guided to develop engaging, sustainable, and conservation-sensitive astro-tourism experiences.
Day 1 of the workshop focused on the fundamentals of astronomy, astro-tourism concepts, and telescope handling and observations. Participants also explored daytime astronomy and solar observation, learning practical techniques for safe solar viewing and interpreting celestial phenomena for visitors.
The sessions are being facilitated by Ms. Anupama Pradeepan and Mr. Bharat Kumar, astronomy educators from C-STERC and the Open Space Foundation, along with Mr. Udhay Bhasker, board member of the Open Space Foundation. They are mentoring participants on dark sky preservation practices, experiential tourism design, and the effective use of astronomical tools and digital aids like Stellarium.
Organized with the support of the A&N Administration, the workshop seeks to position Andaman as a premier Dark Sky and sustainable astro-tourism destination, promoting community-led conservation, environmental awareness, and innovative tourism models that safeguard the islands’ natural heritage while creating livelihood opportunities.
