Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun is an autonomous research institute for the study of Geology of the Himalayaunder the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India.[1] It was established in June, 1968 in the Botany Department, Delhi University, the Institute was shifted to Dehradun, Uttrakhand during April, 1976.[2][3]
The institute also has three field search stations, at Naddi-Dharamsala, Dokriani Bamak Glacier Station and at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh.[4]
History[edit]
The institute has its origins in department of Geology at University of Delhi, after being shifted to Dehradun it was initially named as the Institute of Himalayan Geology, renamed in 1976 as the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology in memory of its founder, late Prof. Darashaw Nosherwan Wadia (F.R.S. and National Professor), in honor to his contributions to the geology of the Himalayas. During the last quarter century the Institute has grown as a centre of excellence in the field Himalayan Geology and is recognised as a National Laboratory of international repute with advanced laboratories and other infrastructural facilities for undertaking higher level of research in the country.
S.P. Nautiyal Museum[edit]
The museum offers a glimpse of the mighty Himalaya, its origin, evolution in time and space, natural resources, life in the geological past, earthquakes and environmental aspects, basic objective in organising the museum is to educate students and general public as well as to highlight the Institute activities. Museum, the educative wing of the Institute had a large number of student visitors from different universities, local schools and general public and as usual remained the main centre of attraction for the national and international visitors. Students in large groups from different schools, universities, colleges and from other institutions visited the Museum and guided tours were provided to them. A relief model of the Himalaya and paintings depicting the impact of human activities on the environment displayed in the Museum remained a point of attraction for the visitors. Also, over the years visitors from USA, Austria, U.K, Ukraine, Thailand, Australia, England, Japan, Nepal, France, Russia, Moscow, Israel and Canada visited the Museum.[5]
Center for Glaciology[edit]
The Centre for Himalayan Glaciology was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Prithviraj Chavan on July 4, 2009 in the benign presence of the Secretary, DST, Dr. T. Ramasami and Joint Secretary, Shri Sanjiv Nair. The primary mission of the Centre is to "Mount a coordinated research initiative on Himalayan glaciology to understand the factors controlling the effects of climate on glaciers in order to develop strategies for climate change adaptability for sustained growth of society". In addition, the Centre shall take up programmes of capacity building in this very specialized field, which will eventually nurture the independent Indian Institute of Glaciology.[6]
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