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

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.