India Opens First High-Altitude Climate Centre in Himalayas
10 Apr 2025
2 Min Read
CW Team
India took a major step forward in climate science yesterday with the inauguration of its first-ever 鈥淗imalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre鈥� at Nathatop, Jammu & Kashmir. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who oversees multiple science and technology portfolios, called the new centre a "gateway" into Himalayan climate research and a marker of India鈥檚 rising global stature in the field.
Located 2,250 meters above sea level, the facility will focus on atmospheric studies in the north-western Himalayas鈥攁n area with minimal pollution and ideal conditions for high-precision climate data. The project is a joint effort between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the J&K Forest Department, and the Central University of Jammu.
At the launch, Dr. Singh also flagged off ICE-CRUNCH, a collaborative Indo-Swiss project studying ice-nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei. The research will involve scientists from both India and Switzerland鈥檚 ETH Z眉rich, and is expected to shed light on how aerosols impact clouds and precipitation patterns in the Himalayas.
Dr. Singh highlighted Jammu & Kashmir鈥檚 strategic advantage for climate research and said that the new centre places India at the forefront of global environmental studies. He pointed out that India鈥檚 leadership in climate action, bolstered by initiatives under Prime Minister Modi, is gaining international credibility.
The Centre will serve as a long-term research hub under the World Meteorological Organization鈥檚 Global Atmospheric Watch programme and collaborate with the India Meteorological Department to feed into global climate models. It will also offer training to young scientists, host climate workshops, and build capacity in atmospheric science.
The Minister noted the government's broader climate push, including new weather radars in J&K, a seismological observatory in Udhampur, and a major budget hike for climate research under Mission Mausam. He also referenced the Aroma and Floriculture Missions as examples of how Himalayan initiatives are contributing to both environmental and economic goals.
鈥淭his is more than a research station,鈥� Dr. Singh said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a symbol of India鈥檚 commitment to the planet and to future generations.鈥�
India took a major step forward in climate science yesterday with the inauguration of its first-ever 鈥淗imalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre鈥� at Nathatop, Jammu & Kashmir. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who oversees multiple science and technology portfolios, called the new centre a gateway into Himalayan climate research and a marker of India鈥檚 rising global stature in the field.
Located 2,250 meters above sea level, the facility will focus on atmospheric studies in the north-western Himalayas鈥攁n area with minimal pollution and ideal conditions for high-precision climate data. The project is a joint effort between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the J&K Forest Department, and the Central University of Jammu.
At the launch, Dr. Singh also flagged off ICE-CRUNCH, a collaborative Indo-Swiss project studying ice-nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei. The research will involve scientists from both India and Switzerland鈥檚 ETH Z眉rich, and is expected to shed light on how aerosols impact clouds and precipitation patterns in the Himalayas.
Dr. Singh highlighted Jammu & Kashmir鈥檚 strategic advantage for climate research and said that the new centre places India at the forefront of global environmental studies. He pointed out that India鈥檚 leadership in climate action, bolstered by initiatives under Prime Minister Modi, is gaining international credibility.
The Centre will serve as a long-term research hub under the World Meteorological Organization鈥檚 Global Atmospheric Watch programme and collaborate with the India Meteorological Department to feed into global climate models. It will also offer training to young scientists, host climate workshops, and build capacity in atmospheric science.
The Minister noted the government's broader climate push, including new weather radars in J&K, a seismological observatory in Udhampur, and a major budget hike for climate research under Mission Mausam. He also referenced the Aroma and Floriculture Missions as examples of how Himalayan initiatives are contributing to both environmental and economic goals.
鈥淭his is more than a research station,鈥� Dr. Singh said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a symbol of India鈥檚 commitment to the planet and to future generations.鈥�
Next Story
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Set to Launch by 2028
India鈥檚 first bullet train is set to revolutionize high-speed travel along the western corridor, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project aiming for a 2028 launch. This announcement marks a major milestone in India鈥檚 infrastructure goals, as it promises to reduce travel time between the two economic hubs from eight hours to just three.Spanning a planned 508-kilometre stretch, the corridor stands as a flagship example of Indo-Japanese collaboration in technology and engineering. Once operational, the train is expected to transform intercity mobility and place India among the select..
Next Story
Mumbai-Gandhinagar Train Service Enhances Passenger Capacity
The Mumbai Central鈥揋andhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express has increased its passenger capacity by adding four additional AC chair car coaches to meet the growing commuter demand on one of India鈥檚 busiest business corridors. This upgrade, effective from 11 May, raised the train鈥檚 seating capacity from 1,128 to 1,440 passengers, allowing it to serve 936 more passengers daily in both directions. The increase was described as a practical measure to accommodate the surging demand on the busy Mumbai鈥揂hmedabad鈥揋andhinagar route, which regularly operates at over 150 percent seat occupancy...
Next Story
Delhi Plans 12 Sewage Plants to Clean Najafgarh Drain Efficiently
Delhi鈥檚 ambitious plan to improve the water quality of the Yamuna River has gained significant momentum as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has begun work on 12 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) aimed at reducing the volume of untreated sewage being discharged from the Najafgarh Drain.This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to clean the Yamuna and restore the river鈥檚 health, which has long been a critical environmental issue for the national capital. Given the alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna, experts and officials consider this project a vital step toward addressing the persist..
