Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, April 8, 2025 – India marked a historic milestone in climate science with the inauguration of its first high-altitude climate research station at Nathatop in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, launched the Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Centre on Tuesday, heralding a new era of advanced climate studies in the Himalayan region.
Situated at an altitude of 2,250 meters above sea level, the state-of-the-art facility is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Central University of Jammu, the Jammu and Kashmir government, and the Swiss National Science Foundation. The station, strategically located in Mandlote village of Chenani tehsil, was chosen for its pristine air quality and minimal pollution—ideal conditions for studying atmospheric processes and climate phenomena in the Northwestern Himalayas.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, speaking at the inauguration, described the event as a “gateway into climate forecast and research in the Himalayas.” He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for positioning India at the forefront of global climate initiatives. “This is not just a scientific milestone; it’s a historic moment. Jammu and Kashmir is now spearheading India’s efforts in Himalayan climate research, contributing to global climate science,” he stated. The minister also flagged off the Indo-Swiss joint research project, “ICE-CRUNCH,” a collaboration with ETH Zurich, Switzerland, focusing on ice-nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei properties in the region.
The Nathatop centre aims to deepen the understanding of cloud formation, weather patterns, aerosol interactions, and their broader implications for climate systems and precipitation in the Himalayas. Its location offers a rare opportunity to study free tropospheric conditions, critical for accurate climate data. Jammu and Kashmir Minister of Science and Technology, Satish Sharma, who accompanied Singh, echoed the sentiment, calling it a “significant step toward cutting-edge climate research.”
The facility is part of a broader push to bolster India’s meteorological infrastructure. Singh highlighted recent advancements, including the installation of three weather radars in Jammu and Kashmir, a seismological observatory in Udhampur, and a 185% increase in budgetary allocation for climate research under Mission Mausam. “Preserving the Himalayas is a global imperative, and this centre will unlock the region’s potential for scientific and economic growth,” he added.
The inauguration was attended by senior officials, including Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr. M. Ravichandran, Vice Chancellor of Central University of Jammu Prof. Sanjeev Jain, and local leaders like MLA Chenani Balwant Singh Mankotia and DDC Chairperson Udhampur Lal Chand. The event underscored a “synergized model” of governance and international partnership, with the Swiss collaboration enhancing India’s research capabilities.
The centre’s initial measurements under the ICE-CRUNCH project will provide critical insights into atmospheric dynamics, supporting efforts to mitigate climate-related disasters like cloudbursts and landslides that have plagued the region. As India strengthens its global leadership in climate science, the Nathatop station stands as a testament to its commitment to addressing environmental challenges through innovation and collaboration.