The Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju, made a momentous visit to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, today, emphasizing the nation's commitment to climate research and fostering international collaborations. During his visit, the Minister acquainted himself with the cutting-edge research projects being undertaken at the autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
Among the highlights of the visit was the witnessing of the Pratyush supercomputer's functionality, cloud stimulation experiments, and studies on lightning phenomena. Impressed with the scientific advancements, the Minister expressed his admiration for India's meteorological expertise, which has made the country a leading player in global climate and weather research.
A significant development during the visit was the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between IITM Pune and Tezpur University, Assam, and ARIES, Nainital, Uttarakhand. These partnerships aim to foster joint research efforts to address environmental challenges and develop effective solutions.
One MoU focuses on collaborative research on biosphere-atmosphere exchange of Greenhouse Gases and Energy Fluxes monitored at Kaziranga National Park, Assam, while the other centers on similar research at Devasthal, near Nainital, Uttarakhand.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Rijiju highlighted India's leadership in climate science and its commitment to international protocols related to climate change. He expressed pride in the contributions of Indian scientists to the global weather research community. The Minister acknowledged the ever-changing climatic patterns and stressed the importance of continually advancing scientific capabilities to adapt to these changes effectively.
Furthermore, the Minister shared exciting news about the forthcoming powerful supercomputer that will significantly enhance India's forecasting capacity and research into various aspects of climate and weather conditions. Praising IITM Pune for its leading role in climate change research, the Union Earth Sciences Minister commended the institute's world-class facilities and stated that it would remain the backbone for India's future endeavors in this field.
During the visit, the Minister also disclosed India's plans to implement round-the-clock manning of its Arctic Station 'Himadri.' While Indian scientists currently manage the station in the summers, negotiations are underway to ensure year-round operation, signalling India's increasing interest and involvement in triosphere studies.
Additionally, Minister Rijiju acknowledged the strides India is making in deep ocean exploration. With the ongoing Deep Ocean Mission, the Ministry of Earth Sciences aims to study geology, seismology, and other aspects of the ocean—an uncharted territory that holds immense potential for India's Blue Economy and future economic growth.
The Minister concluded by discussing various projects initiated by the Ministry, including the development of a desalination plant for freshwater generation in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, and a deep-water manned submersible being developed by NIOT Chennai. The Ministry, along with the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), has also been conducting awareness workshops for the fishing community on Ocean Information and Advisory Services.
The visit witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Dr. R. Krishnan, Director of IITM, Pune, along with scientists and officials from IITM. The Earth Sciences Minister also launched "Indradhanush Patrika" during the visit, further showcasing India's commitment to promoting climate and weather research.
