Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 15 Jul: Senior BJP leader Ravindra Jugran today called on Pauri Garhwal MP and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat today and submitted a memorandum regarding the establishment of a National Centre for Himalayan Glaciology. Jugran has pointed out that despite repeated assurances and the allocation of 50 acres of land at Castle Hill Estate in Mussoorie under the ownership of the Survey of India, the centre has not yet been established. He stressed that the institution is of national and international importance in the context of climate change and the urgent need for scientific research on Himalayan glaciers.
Jugran also pointed out that successive governments had recognised the significance of glaciology research, with the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology in Dehradun already hosting the Centre for Glaciology since 2009. However, he argued that inadequate funding, administrative lapses and lack of coordination have prevented the centre from achieving its intended scope. He said the proposed national centre in Mussoorie was meant to provide state‑of‑the‑art facilities, field stations and high‑quality data collection to strengthen India’s response to climate change and hydrological challenges in the Himalayan region. He added that the delay has undermined the vision of making Uttarakhand a hub for glacier and climate research.
Rawat assured Jugran that he would raise the matter in the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament and also discuss it personally with the Union Minister concerned. He acknowledged the importance of the proposal and said that the issue deserved immediate attention at the national level. Jugran expressed hope that with parliamentary intervention and ministerial support, the long‑pending project would finally be implemented, ensuring that Mussoorie hosts the dedicated National Centre for Himalayan Glaciology as originally envisaged.
