A Quantitative Analysis of Light Pollution in Gurgaon and a Deepened Understanding of its Impacts

Suhani Gupta, Sudhi Vashistha, Shailja Gauniyal, Tanishka Rajesh Arora, Idha Nehra

Light pollution is an emerging environmental and health challenge in rapidly urbanizing Indian cities. This study quantifies night-sky brightness across Gurgaon using a low-cost, Arduino-based Sky Quality Meter (SQM) and integrates these measurements with perception surveys from 91 residents. A total of 62 ground-based data points were collected, revealing distinct spatial variations: highly commercial and densely populated zones recorded the brightest skies (16–17 mag/arcsec²), while peripheral and semi-rural areas such as Sultanpur National Park showed comparatively darker skies (18-19mag/arcsec²). Survey results indicated that most residents underestimate the role of artificial lighting, often attributing poor sky visibility to air pollution, although 62% reported sleep disturbances due to excessive outdoor lighting. Together, these findings highlight a mismatch between public awareness and measurable light pollution levels. The study advocates practical mitigation strategies, including shielded fixtures, adaptive lighting policies, and citizen-led monitoring. By providing localized evidence, this work contributes to the limited body of light pollution research in India and offers a foundation for community-driven initiatives and policy intervention.