Jugran writes to Union minister for establishment of National Centre for Himalayan Glaciology
Alleges that apathy of WIHG officials hampered establishment of vital centre in U’khand
Monday, 04 April 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
Statehood activist and Bharatiya Janata Party State spokesman Ravinder Jugran has written to the Union minister for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh alleging that apathy of the officials of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) is the reason why a separate National Centre for Himalayan Glaciology could not be established in Uttarakhand. He alleged that officials of the institute did not provide accurate information to the higher authorities and took undue advantage of the autonomous status of the institute.
Jugran states that in response to climate change, eight missions were started in India including the national mission for sustaining the Himalayan eco-system as a part of which a national centre for studying Himalayan glaciers was proposed. The Central government had prepared an outline of a long-term plan amounting to Rs 550 crore and had also chosen 50 acre land belonging to Survey of India in Mussoorie for the centre. According to Jugran, “WIHG has been undertaking glaciology research for more than two decades. However, with the available facilities the institute was not capable of tackling challenges in national and international level glaciology research. WIHG was considered a launching pad for establishing the new institution dedicated to glaciology research. A Centre For Glaciology (CFG) was established at the institute in 2009. During 2009-2020, CFG scientists and employees set up eight research stations for long term study of various Himalayan glaciers. The scientists also have a good record with more than 100 research publications.”
He further states that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always paid attention to glaciers, climate change and water resources. This is why the ministry of Jal Shakti is successfully undertaking the Namami Gange mission. However, while focusing on rivers, the need for focus on their origin- the Himalayan glaciers- becomes all the more important. Jugran further alleged, “After establishment of CFG in WIHG, some persons started planning the dark future of this important task of the Central government. The insensitivity of the institute officials meant that ministry officials were kept in the dark and not provided with correct information and facts. Due to the insensitivity of the institute officials, the final nail in the coffin was when orders for merger of CFG into WIHG were issued in June 2020.” Jugran has also questioned the role of senior officials of the institute in this entire case. Considering the national and international importance of the issue and concerns repeatedly expressed by PM Modi, the BJP leader has requested the Union minister to take a positive decision regarding the establishment of national centre for Himalayan glaciology in Uttarakhand.
