Delhi, 19 June (H.S.): India is set to establish a new climate monitoring centre in the Himalayan region, a significant step towards strengthening climate research in the country. In this regard, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, have signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement will remain valid for a period of more than 50 years.

Under the agreement, a Long-Term Climate Observation Facility will be established at the Devasthal Observatory in Uttarakhand under the Bharat Climate Observatory Network (BCON).

According to information released by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Friday, the facility will monitor key climate parameters in the Himalayan region, including weather conditions, greenhouse gases, atmospheric pollutants, and soil moisture.

Scientists said the clean atmosphere and high-altitude environment of Devasthal make it an ideal location for climate change research. The data collected from the observatory will help improve understanding of climatic processes in the Himalayan region and assess the impact of pollution on the environment.

The BCON project is an initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences aimed at generating high-quality climate data across the country and promoting research on climate change.

The data generated through the network will also contribute to improving the accuracy of India's climate models and future weather and climate forecasts. The initiative is expected to play a vital role in helping India address the challenges posed by climate change while strengthening evidence-based policymaking through scientific research.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar