India launches Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre at 2,250 meters in J&K’s Nathatop

Hyderabad: India marked a major step in climate research with the inauguration of the Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre at Nathatop in Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh opened the centre and launched the Indo-Swiss collaborative research project ICE-CRUNCH (Ice nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei properties in the North-Western Himalayas).

Jammu & Kashmir Chosen for Strategic Climate Research

Located at an altitude of 2,250 meters, the research facility is India’s first of its kind dedicated to high-altitude atmospheric studies. Dr. Singh stated that “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.”

He emphasized the deliberate choice of Jammu and Kashmir for the project, citing its altitude and clean air as essential for accurate atmospheric and climate measurements. “The implication is that J&K also joins India’s global headways in addressing the climate concerns,” he said.

ICE-CRUNCH Project with Swiss Collaboration

As part of the launch, Dr. Singh flagged off the ICE-CRUNCH project, a joint research initiative between Indian scientists and ETH Zürich in Switzerland. The project aims to investigate ice-nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei — critical components in cloud formation and precipitation processes.

“This is not just a scientific milestone—it is a historic moment,” Dr. Singh said during the inauguration.

Multi-Tier Collaboration and Global Integration

The research centre is a result of coordinated collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the J&K Forest Department, the Central University of Jammu, and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Dr. Singh described this effort as a “synergised model” of governance and international partnership.

“This collaboration mirrors India’s broader approach to climate resilience through coordinated efforts,” he noted. He also mentioned the Aroma and Floriculture Missions as examples of tapping the Himalayan region’s economic and scientific potential.

Enhancing Scientific Infrastructure

Dr. Singh highlighted ongoing improvements in India’s meteorological infrastructure, including three new weather radars in Jammu and Kashmir, a seismological observatory in Udhampur, and a 185% increase in funding for climate and atmospheric science under Mission Mausam.

He emphasized, “Preserving the Himalayas is not a regional concern but a global imperative,” citing the Himalayas’ crucial role in weather systems and as a natural resource.

Global Integration and Capacity Building

The Nathatop research station is expected to function as a long-term hub under the World Meteorological Organization’s Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) programme. In collaboration with the Indian Meteorological Department, the centre will conduct continuous atmospheric monitoring and contribute data to global climate models.

Additionally, the centre will focus on training young scientists, enhancing India’s climate modelling capabilities, and serving as a knowledge centre with specialized training for students and professionals.

India’s Role in Global Climate Leadership

Reflecting on India’s growing stature in climate research, Dr. Singh said, “Today, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have become a leader,” pointing to the country’s net-zero commitments and increasing international credibility in climate action.

He concluded by stating that the Himalayas are evolving from being the “water towers of Asia” to becoming the nerve centre of global climate inquiry, with India leading from the front.