JK News Today
Jammu, 08 April 2025: The Central University of Jammu (CUJ) achieved a significant milestone today with the inauguration of the “Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research (H2A2CR) Centre” by the esteemed Chief Guest, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space.
The event also marked the flagging-off ceremony of the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Project ICE-CRUNCH, a pioneering initiative funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Sh. Satish Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for Science & Technology, J&K, Sh. Lal Chand Bhagat, Hon’ble Chairman, DDC Udhampur, Sh. Balwant Singh Mankotia, Hon’ble MLA, Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ms. Saloni Rai, DC Udhampur, Sh. Basheer Chaudhary DC Ramban, Sh. Vasu Yadav, Chairman, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Dr. M. Kumar, CCF Jammu, Dr. R.K. Jenamani (Scientist-G) & Mr. C.S. Tomar (Scientist-F), India Meteorological Department (IMD)
ICE-CRUNCH (Ice Nucleating Particles and Cloud Condensation Nuclei Properties in The North-Western Himalayas) is a collaborative research initiative between ETH Zurich (Switzerland), Central University of Jammu and IIT Kanpur. The project aims to study aerosol-cloud interactions in the ecologically sensitive North-Western Himalayan (NWH) region, crucial for freshwater supply and biodiversity.
The ICE- CRUNCH Team Members includes Dr. Zamin A. Kanji (Swiss PI, ETH Zurich), Dr Kristy Diener (Swiss Co-PI), Dr. Michael Roesch (Technical Specialist), Ms. Tuuli Lehmusjärvi (PhD Scholar), Dr. Shweta Yadav (Principal Investigator, CU ), Dr. Ankit Tandon (Co-PI), Prof. S.N. Tripathi (Co-PI, IIT Kanpur) and Mr. Sajan Bandral (PhD Scholar).
Two Memoranda of Understanding were signed in the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh: CUJ & IMD for real-time extreme weather event attribution and establishing a Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) contributory station.
CU Jammu, J&K Forest Dept., & JKPCC for atmospheric and climate research collaboration. The centre will serve as a global hub for atmospheric research, monitoring air quality, trace gases, and cloud microphysics. It aims to contribute to climate models, pollution mitigation, and sustainable Himalayan ecosystem management.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister lauded the initiative, emphasizing its importance for climate resilience and scientific diplomacy. He added that “The ministry will continue supporting such initiatives that address critical climate challenges.”
Dr. Zamin Kanji (ETH Zurich) highlighted the unique geographical advantage of the centre in studying transboundary pollution.
Sh. Satish Sharma, Minister for Science and Technology, J&K highlighted Jammu & Kashmir’s commitment to becoming a hub for cutting-edge climate research.
Sh. Lal Chand Bhagat, DDC Chairman Udhampur, highlighted “The research outcomes will directly benefit our local communities through improved weather forecasting.”
Sh. Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA Chenani stressed the project’s potential to benefit local communities through improved weather forecasting.
Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu outlined the university’s vision to make H2A2CR a world-class research facility. He further said that this facility will create new opportunities for our youth in scientific research.”
Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, GoI reaffirmed MoES’s support for high-altitude atmospheric studies.
Dr. Shweta Yadav, Centre Incharge underscored the project’s role in training young researchers and generating globally relevant data.
The H2A2CR Centre is poised to become a flagship research facility, attracting global scientists and fostering long-term Indo-Swiss collaborations. With cutting-edge instrumentation and interdisciplinary expertise, it will address critical gaps in Himalayan climate science.
Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research (H2A2CR) Centre of Central University of Jammu Inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
Jammu, 08 April 2025: The Central University of Jammu (CUJ) achieved a significant milestone today with the inauguration of the “Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research (H2A2CR) Centre” by the esteemed Chief Guest, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space.
The event also marked the flagging-off ceremony of the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Project ICE-CRUNCH, a pioneering initiative funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Sh. Satish Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for Science & Technology, J&K, Sh. Lal Chand Bhagat, Hon’ble Chairman, DDC Udhampur, Sh. Balwant Singh Mankotia, Hon’ble MLA, Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ms. Saloni Rai, DC Udhampur, Sh. Basheer Chaudhary DC Ramban, Sh. Vasu Yadav, Chairman, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Dr. M. Kumar, CCF Jammu, Dr. R.K. Jenamani (Scientist-G) & Mr. C.S. Tomar (Scientist-F), India Meteorological Department (IMD)
ICE-CRUNCH (Ice Nucleating Particles and Cloud Condensation Nuclei Properties in The North-Western Himalayas) is a collaborative research initiative between ETH Zurich (Switzerland), Central University of Jammu and IIT Kanpur. The project aims to study aerosol-cloud interactions in the ecologically sensitive North-Western Himalayan (NWH) region, crucial for freshwater supply and biodiversity.
The ICE- CRUNCH Team Members includes Dr. Zamin A. Kanji (Swiss PI, ETH Zurich), Dr Kristy Diener (Swiss Co-PI), Dr. Michael Roesch (Technical Specialist), Ms. Tuuli Lehmusjärvi (PhD Scholar), Dr. Shweta Yadav (Principal Investigator, CU ), Dr. Ankit Tandon (Co-PI), Prof. S.N. Tripathi (Co-PI, IIT Kanpur) and Mr. Sajan Bandral (PhD Scholar).
Two Memoranda of Understanding were signed in the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh: CUJ & IMD for real-time extreme weather event attribution and establishing a Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) contributory station.
CU Jammu, J&K Forest Dept., & JKPCC for atmospheric and climate research collaboration. The centre will serve as a global hub for atmospheric research, monitoring air quality, trace gases, and cloud microphysics. It aims to contribute to climate models, pollution mitigation, and sustainable Himalayan ecosystem management.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister lauded the initiative, emphasizing its importance for climate resilience and scientific diplomacy. He added that “The ministry will continue supporting such initiatives that address critical climate challenges.”
Dr. Zamin Kanji (ETH Zurich) highlighted the unique geographical advantage of the centre in studying transboundary pollution.
Sh. Satish Sharma, Minister for Science and Technology, J&K highlighted Jammu & Kashmir’s commitment to becoming a hub for cutting-edge climate research.
Sh. Lal Chand Bhagat, DDC Chairman Udhampur, highlighted “The research outcomes will directly benefit our local communities through improved weather forecasting.”
Sh. Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA Chenani stressed the project’s potential to benefit local communities through improved weather forecasting.
Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu outlined the university’s vision to make H2A2CR a world-class research facility. He further said that this facility will create new opportunities for our youth in scientific research.”
Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, GoI reaffirmed MoES’s support for high-altitude atmospheric studies.
Dr. Shweta Yadav, Centre Incharge underscored the project’s role in training young researchers and generating globally relevant data.
The H2A2CR Centre is poised to become a flagship research facility, attracting global scientists and fostering long-term Indo-Swiss collaborations. With cutting-edge instrumentation and interdisciplinary expertise, it will address critical gaps in Himalayan climate science.
