Efforts Underway to Develop Uttarakhand's Benital as 'Astro-village', say officials

Efforts to develop Benital in Karnaprayag block as an ’astro-village’ has been taken by the Chamoli district administration, as per officials. Headed by District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana, a team visited Benital on Thursday to explore what can be done to generate interest among tourists in the upcoming project, they stated.

Benital is located in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 2,600 metres above sea level. As reported by News18, "Benital will offer visitors an easy and close view of stars, planets, and astronomical events, once it becomes an astro-village equipped with large telescopes and a night-vision dome, the officials said". 

Khurana said, "Cottages, pathways, tent platform, restaurant with a reception, and two parking lots are also being built in Benital by the Tourism department for visitors as part of the project."

According to Khurana, "the department has estimated a total expense of Rs 5 crore for the project and submitted a report to the administration. It has entrusted the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam with the responsibility of developing Benital as an astro-village. A preliminary clearance for transfer of forest land for the project has already been secured." 

Further he added, "Benital already has the potential to attract tourists due to its picturesque location. Once it becomes an astro-village, it can generate self-employment opportunities for locals due to increased tourist activities."