TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Pingtung County has embarked on an ambitious journey to secure a "Dark Sky Community" certification from the organization DarkSky International by transforming the county's Sheting Village (社頂部落) and Jialeshui Scenic Area (佳樂水風景區) into model sites for light pollution control. According to a press release on Wednesday (Feb. 4), the county government aims to enhance dark sky-friendly lighting, a move that underscores its commitment to preserving the natural night environment.
Since 2023, Pingtung County's Transportation and Tourism Development Department (交通旅遊處) has identified and recommended ten top stargazing sites in the county. The department has adopted a multifaceted approach to achieve the Dark Sky Community status, focusing on lighting renovation, training starry sky interpreters, and engaging in community education. The initiative combines site planning, nighttime light environment management, and tourism quality enhancement.
The Department emphasizes the concept of maintaining a dark sky without foregoing lighting on the ground by adjusting the angle of light fixtures to reduce upward light spillage. Recently, the county government organized a hands-on event called "Dark Sky Friendly Lighting Improvement" (暗空友善燈具改善動手做), inviting Liu Chih-an (劉志安), executive director of the Taipei Association Astronomers Amateur (台北市天文協會), to impart practical knowledge to residents of Sheting and Kang Kou Village (港口村) in Manzhou Township (滿州鄉).
Yang Hsiu-lan (楊秀蘭), the village chief of Kang Kou, highlighted the community's engagement in dark sky initiatives since last year. Kang Kou Village has been designated as one of Pingtung's top ten stargazing communities, with priority given to improving orchard lighting. A participating farmer, surnamed Pan (潘), noted the significant reduction in upward light spillage after installing light shields, which directed light downward and improved nighttime brightness allocation.