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Protected AreaDark Sky ParkBuldhana District

Lonar Crater

One of only four hyper-velocity meteorite impact craters in basaltic rock worldwide — and the only one in India. A UNESCO-recognised site and Ramsar Wetland hosting unique microbial biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth.

VIIRS — — buldana District

See Buldhana District's 13-year trend →

  • Only meteorite impact crater in India
  • UNESCO site & Ramsar Wetland (663 km²)
  • First site with DSI eligibility confirmed and administrative sanction issued
  • Task force constituted October 2025

5 updates

survey

Work Commencement Orders Issued by Lonar Nagar Parishad

The Municipal Council of Lonar issued two formal work commencement orders (Kayarambh Aadesh) to AstronEra — covering secretariat coordination and lighting audit/SQM monitoring.
Shweta Kulkarni

Shweta Kulkarni

programme-wide

Detailed Budget Framework Submitted to Chief Secretary

AstronEra submitted the detailed certification budget and financial framework to the Chief Secretary's office, covering all 11 pilot sites with a standardised per-site cost structure.
Programme-wide
programme-wide

Chief Secretary Convenes Inter-Departmental Dark Sky Meeting

Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal (IAS) convened a multi-department meeting at Mantralaya with Tourism, Environment, Energy, Revenue & Forest, Urban Development, Tribal Development, and Home departments — directing immediate action at all 11 pilot sites.
Programme-wide
policy

Administrative Sanction Issued — First Site to Receive Approval

The District Planning Committee issued administrative sanction through Lonar Nagar Parishad — making Lonar the first pilot site to receive formal government backing for the certification programme.
Shweta Kulkarni

Shweta Kulkarni

programme-wide

Tourism Department Issues Statewide Dark Sky Directive

The Department of Tourism formally directed all 11 district collectors to cooperate with the Dark Sky Places certification process and allocate funds through the District Planning Committee.
Programme-wide
programme-wide

Communications Issued to District Collectors of Pilot Sites

Following the high-level government meetings, formal communications were issued to the District Collectors of all pilot site districts, initiating the on-ground coordination process for dark sky certification.
Programme-wide
programme-wide

DarkSky International Endorses AstronEra as Maharashtra Partner

DarkSky International issued a formal endorsement letter recognising AstronEra as the official dark sky certification partner for Maharashtra — a critical credential for the state-level policy push.
Programme-wide
programme-wide

Meeting with Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism

AstronEra met with Principal Secretary of the Department of Tourism Mr Sanjay Khandare (IAS) to discuss integration of dark sky certification with Maharashtra's tourism strategy and the potential for astrotourism at pilot sites.
Programme-wide
TARA Dark Sky Policy Document
programme-wide

Meeting with Honourable Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra

AstronEra met with Honourable Chief Secretary Mr Rajesh Agarwal (IAS) to discuss the TARA Dark Sky Policy framework and the programme's strategic roadmap for dark sky certification across Maharashtra's pilot sites.
Programme-wide
TARA Dark Sky Policy Document
programme-wide

Meeting with Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Environment

AstronEra presented the TARA Dark Sky Policy framework to Additional Chief Secretary Mrs Ashwini Bhide (IAS) and Principal Secretary of the Environment and Climate Change Department Mrs Jayashri Bhoj (IAS), securing high-level engagement for Maharashtra's dark sky conservation initiative.
Programme-wide
TARA Dark Sky Policy Document
policy

DarkSky International Confirms Lonar Eligibility

Dan Oakley (DSI Policy and Destination Senior Manager) confirmed that Lonar Meteorite Impact Crater meets all eligibility criteria and can proceed to formal application.
Shweta Kulkarni

Shweta Kulkarni

policy

Lonar Dark Sky Park Task Force Constituted

The District Planning Committee formally constituted a 13-member task force chaired by the District Collector, including ASI, MTDC, PWD, Forest, Revenue, and Electricity representatives.
Shweta Kulkarni

Shweta Kulkarni

policy

DSI Pre-Application Submitted for Lonar Crater

AstronEra submitted the DarkSky International Pre-Application Inquiry Form on behalf of the District Collector, Buldhana — the first formal step in Maharashtra's Dark Sky Places certification process.
Shweta Kulkarni

Shweta Kulkarni

programme-wide

CM Fadnavis Congratulates AstronEra on Dark Sky Defender Asia Award

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis publicly congratulated Shweta Kulkarni on receiving the Dark Sky Defender — Asia 2024 award from DarkSky International, signalling state-level support for the dark sky programme.
Programme-wide
DGIPR YouTube — National Space Day 2025

Programme

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