Union Minister launches Himalayan climate research centre in Udhampur

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the first-ever “Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric & Climate Research Centre” in the higher reaches of Nathatop in Udhampur district.

“This move marks a significant milestone in India’s global leadership in climate science,” said the Minister, adding that Jammu and Kashmir spearheads India’s global initiative for climate study and research in the Himalayas.

Satish Sharma, Science & Technology Minister of J&K, Dr M Ravichandran, Union Secretary Ministry of Earth Sciences, Prof Sanjiv Jain, Vice-Chancellor, Central University, Jammu, were also present on the occasion.

The state-of-the-art facility, situated at one of the highest altitudes in the region, is expected to serve as a crucial gateway for cutting-edge climate research in the north-western Himalayas.

Jitendra Singh also flagged off the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Project “ICE-CRUNCH (Ice nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei properties in the North-Western Himalayas)” - a collaborative study between Indian scientists and researchers from ETH Zürich, Switzerland, aimed at exploring the properties of ice nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei in the region.

“This is not just a scientific milestone—it is a historic moment,” Jitendra Singh said, adding, “With the setting up of this station, we are opening up a new gateway into climate research and studies in the Himalayas. And India will be pioneering it.”

The minister underscored that the choice of J&K for this facility was a conscious one, leveraging its high-altitude advantage for more accurate atmospheric and climate measurements. “The implication is that J&K also joins India’s global headways in addressing the climate concerns,” he said.

The Nathatop centre is a product of multi-tier collaboration—between the Government of India (through the Ministry of Science & Technology), the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (which provided the land), the Central University of Jammu (whose scientists will participate in research), and the Swiss National Science Foundation (which is providing international expertise).

Calling it a “synergised model” of governance and global partnership, Jitendra Singh said this collaboration mirrors India’s broader approach to climate resilience through coordinated efforts. He cited dedicated Himalayan missions such as the Aroma Mission and the Floriculture Mission, which are unlocking the region’s potential and adding value to India’s economy.

“Preserving the Himalayas is not a regional concern but a global imperative,” Jitendra Singh said, emphasising that the region’s vast unexplored resources could play a pivotal role in India’s future economic growth.

The newly inaugurated Centre, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the J&K Forest Department, and the Central University of Jammu, is located at an altitude of 2,250 meters above sea level. The site was strategically chosen for its clean air and minimal pollution, providing a rare opportunity to study atmospheric processes in free tropospheric conditions — a key requirement for understanding cloud formation, weather patterns, and aerosol interactions.