ICE-CRUNCH
Why in news?
Recently, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) launched the ICE-CRUNCH initiative and inaugurated India’s first High-Altitude Climate Research Station in the Himalayas to boost advanced climate research in sensitive mountainous regions.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
What is ICE-CRUNCH?
- Full Form: Ice nucleating particles and cloud condensation nuclei properties in the northwestern Himalayas
- It is a collaborative research initiative between Indian scientists and ETH Zurich in Switzerland. Nodal Ministry—Ministry of Earth Sciences
- Focus: Study of cloud microphysics, especially ice-nucleating and condensation particles affecting Himalayan weather systems and climate
About the High-Altitude Climate Research Station
- Location: Nathatop, Jammu & Kashmir
- Purpose:
- Long-term climate monitoring and research
- Capacity building and training of young climate scientists
- Improvement of regional climate models
- Global Link: Integrated with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Programme
Significance
- Enhances India’s capability to understand climate variability in fragile Himalayan ecosystems
- Aids in disaster preparedness, especially in the context of extreme weather events like cloudbursts and avalanches
- Strengthens international cooperation in climate science
(Prelims Practice Question)
Q. With reference to the ICE-CRUNCH initiative, consider the following statements:
- It is a joint climate research initiative between India and Norway.
- It aims to study the properties of ice-nucleating particles in the North-Western Himalayas.
- The research station under this initiative is affiliated with the World Meteorological Organization.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Statement 1 is incorrect – the partner country is Switzerland, not Norway.
