Himalayan Climate Research Centre in J&K

• 09 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

The Union Minister of Earth Sciences inaugurated the first-ever “Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric & Climate Research Centre” in the elevated region of Nathatop, located in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. 

 Key Points 

• Collaborative Efforts:  
  • The centre is the result of a multi-tier collaboration of the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of J&K and Swiss National Science Foundation. 
• A Strategic Location for Critical Research: 
  • The Nathatop site was chosen for its clean air and low pollution levels—ideal conditions to study cloud formation, aerosol interactions, and weather patterns. 
  • Researchers will be able to observe atmospheric processes in free tropospheric conditions, a rarity in most parts of India. 
• Launch of ICE-CRUNCH: 
  • During the ceremony, the union minister also flagged off ICE-CRUNCH—a joint Indo-Swiss research project involving Indian scientists and researchers from university in Zurich. 
  • The study will explore ice-nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei in the north-western Himalayas both critical for understanding precipitation and climate behaviour. 
• Tapping Himalayan Potential:  
  • The minister also cited national initiatives like the Aroma Mission and Floriculture Mission, which are helping unlock the Himalayas' economic and ecological potential. 
  • These missions aim to boost local livelihoods while contributing to India’s broader climate goals. 

 Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) 

• The SNSF, established in 1952, is a public funding organization that evaluates research proposals and allocates public research money based on a competitive principle, ensuring high-quality research in Switzerland. 

 Aroma Mission 

• Objectives: 
  • To promote the cultivation of aromatic crops for essential oils that are in great demand by the aroma industry. 
  • To enable Indian farmers and the aroma industry to become global leaders in the production and export of some other essential oils on the pattern of menthol mint. 
  • To provide substantial benefits to the farmers in achieving higher profits, utilization of waste lands and protection of their crops from wild and grazing animals. 
• Nodal Agencies: 
  • The nodal laboratory is CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow. 
  • The participating laboratories are CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur; CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu etc. 

 Floriculture Mission 

• Floriculture: 
  • It is a branch of horticulture that deals with the cultivation, processing and marketing of ornamental plants vis-à-vis landscaping of small or large areas, and maintenance of gardens so that the surroundings may appear aesthetically pleasant. 
• Objectives: 
  • To focus on commercial floral crops, seasonal/annual crops, wild ornaments and cultivation of flower crops for honey bee rearing. 
  • Some of the popular crops include Gladiolus, Canna, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Lilium, Marigold, Rose, Tuberose etc. 
• Implementing Agencies: 
  • Along with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), other implementing agencies involved are: 
    • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) 
    • Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) 
    • APEDA and TRIFED 
    • Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj, and 
    • Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).