Tamil Nadu’s first Dark Sky Park has been established in Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest at Kolli Hills to maintain pristine night skies and promote astronomy.

Tamil Nadu’s first Dark Sky Park has opened at Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest in Kolli Hills, Namakkal district. Forests Minister RS Rajakannappan inaugurated it. Announced in the Legislative Assembly on June 25, 2024, the project cost ₹1 crore and followed assessments of ecological suitability and sky visibility.

Located in the Eastern Ghats, Kolli Hills sits at an altitude of about 1,000–1,300 metres. The park aims to protect the area’s low-light-pollution night sky, encourage responsible tourism and promote astronomy. It has three advanced telescopes for organised sky-watching sessions and solar panels to power onsite operations. Regular sessions will take place during the day and at night for the public and students.