Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), met with officials from the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat on October 3. They discussed the Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment (MACE) Telescope located in Hanley, Changthang.

Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, briefed the Lt. Governor on the MACE Telescope, noting that it is the highest and second-largest Cerenkov telescope in the world. Dr. Ajit also requested the Lt. Governor for additional land in the Hanley area to establish a scientific research center.

Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal informed the Lt. Governor about the Dark Sky Reserve at Hanley, which includes six habitations aimed at generating employment for local youth and facilitating scientific research. He highlighted that the Department of Atomic Energy’s proposed project aligns with the goals of the UT Administration.

Recognizing Ladakh's potential in astrophysics research, the Lt. Governor suggested expediting the project and asked Dr. Ajit to identify a suitable site for the scientific research center. He also encouraged Dr. Ajit and other officials to promote the Dark Sky Reserve and the upcoming research center both in India and internationally to attract scientists from around the world.