New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, to establish a BCON climate station at Devasthal in Uttarakhand. The initiative will support long-term climate monitoring and strengthen atmospheric research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Mission Mausam programme.
IITM Director Dr. A. Suryachandra Rao and ARIES Director Dr. Manish Kumar Naja signed the agreement on June 18 through an online ceremony. The partnership will remain in force for more than 50 years and will focus on climate change studies using long-term observations.
The proposed BCON climate station will monitor meteorological parameters, greenhouse gases, short-lived climate forcers, atmospheric chemistry and soil moisture. In addition, the project aims to generate high-quality climate datasets that can support advanced scientific research and policy planning.
ARIES selected Devasthal because its high-altitude location offers favourable conditions for studying atmospheric processes. Researchers will use the site to examine pollutant transport, greenhouse gas behaviour and climate dynamics across the Himalayan region.
BCON climate station to strengthen national climate database
IITM launched the Bharat Climate Observation Network (BCON) as a national initiative to build a long-term and high-precision climate monitoring framework. The network will create a robust climate database capable of identifying long-term environmental trends across India.
Moreover, the observations collected through the BCON climate station will help scientists validate Earth System Models. The data will support the IITM Earth System Model and improve future climate projections for India.
Officials said the initiative will enhance climate assessment capabilities and strengthen evidence-based policymaking. Furthermore, the project will expand India’s capacity to conduct frontline climate research and improve understanding of climate change impacts.
Senior scientists from IITM’s Centre for Climate Change Research and researchers from ARIES also attended the online signing ceremony.
