AlUla has officially become the first International Dark Sky Park in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in a culmination of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) efforts to enhance stargazing, astro-tourism, and space science and discovery in the Kingdom.
AlUla Manara and Gharameel Nature Reserves have gained the accreditation of DarkSky International, an organization dedicated to combating light pollution in urban and rural areas.
Conserving dark sky places is one of the RCU’s objectives to preserve and celebrate AlUla’s cultural and natural treasures, as well as boosting stargazing experience in AlUla. It also aims to establish sustainable standards that preserve AlUla’s wildlife and clear skies.
The accreditation of AlUla Manara and Gharameel came after DarkSky International’s team reviewed the RCU’s plans to preserve the natural and cultural landscape of AlUla. The team also reviewed the availability of dark sky sites which add scientific, educational, cultural and natural value that boosts AlUla as a tourist destination.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), this accreditation will further bolster AlUla as a key hub for stargazing and scientific research expeditions.
It aligns with the development of AlUla Manara, which will be built near Gharameel Nature Reserve to serve as a prime destination for astro-tourism. Furthermore, it aligns with the RCU’s goal of transforming 50% of AlUla into nature reserves.
DarkSky International, established in 1988, aims to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. Other DarkSky approved parks include Grand Canyon area in Arizona, Joshua Tree National Park in California, Yorkshire Dales National Park in the UK, and Arkara Wilderness Sanctuary in Australia.
