Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Friday acknowledged the scientific challenges in predicting natural disasters such as earthquakes and cloudbursts, while stressing that efforts are underway to study contributing factors to provide possible early warnings in the future.
“There is no exact forecasting capability for earthquakes and cloudbursts yet, but we are studying the contributing factors behind cloudbursts. Typically, when there is humidity and heat at a particular place, it tends to become explosive and trigger such incidents. If we can identify these factors, we may at least provide possible early warnings,” Singh told reporters at a Vartalap programme organised by PIB in Jammu.
He said the government has initiated special projects like the Himalayan Ecology Mission to better understand these phenomena. Plans are also underway to establish a full-fledged IMD regional centre in Jammu and install four additional weather radars across the Union Territory to improve forecasting accuracy.
On the economic front, Singh spoke about the stalled lithium exploration project in Reasi district, revealing that the process would be restarted after a poor initial response to tenders. “Once exploration is carried out, we will know the actual quantity of lithium available. Several specialised companies exist, but perhaps none have come forward so far. We will restart the process,” he said.
Highlighting India’s booming innovation ecosystem, Singh said the country has emerged as the world’s third-largest startup hub, growing from just 350 startups in 2014 to over 1.5 lakh in 2025. He cited the CSIR-Aroma Mission in J&K as a success story, noting that more than 3,000 lavender-based startups have been established across rural India, creating jobs and transforming livelihoods.
“These startups are not only generating substantial income but also creating employment opportunities.
Jammu has the potential to become a perfume hub if we set up distillation facilities locally instead of sending produce outside. We invite private industry to partner with us in this mission,” Singh said.
He added that international collaborations were also being explored, referencing his visit to Grasse, France—a global perfume hub—where discussions were held on integrating Indian products into global value chains.
Praising the role of media, Singh said journalists have been instrumental in bringing environmental and scientific issues into public discourse, thereby shaping the national outlook on science and technology.(KINS)
