Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh opens Himalayan High Altitude Climate Research Centre
PTC Web Desk: Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, inaugurated the Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre at Mandlote, Udhampur, and flagged off the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Project ICE-CRUNCH. This landmark centre will study aerosol-cloud interactions and climate in the North-Western Himalayas, a region critical for freshwater and biodiversity.
HVC Prof Sanjeev Jain welcomed dignitaries, including Dr M Ravichandran (Secretary, MoES), Satish Sharma (Minister, S&T J&K), and Swiss delegation led by Dr Zamin A Kanji from ETH Zurich. ICE-CRUNCH, funded by SNSF and MoES, is co-led by Dr Shweta Yadav (CU Jammu) and aims to identify drivers of cloud ice formation using advanced aerosol measurements.
Two MoUs were signed—CU Jammu with IMD for atmospheric studies and with J&K Forest Department & Pollution Control Committee for climate monitoring. Swiss researchers praised the collaboration and Indian hospitality.
The centre, envisioned under Prof. Jain’s leadership, will integrate with the Global Atmosphere Watch Programme (WMO) and strengthen global climate science from this unique Himalayan region.
- PTC NEWS
