Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan paid a visit to the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun and addressed the scientific fraternity there. He highlighted the needs for scientific growth and India's drive for development through scientific innovation for the benefit of the society. The Minister also emphasized the need of greater participation of women scientists in Science and Technology innovation and research.

During the interaction with the media persons on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the Government’s vision and mission towards long terms scientific plan. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also touched upon various scientific projects which are at different stages of implementations.

In his meeting with senior scientists of the Institute, the Minister discussed the possibilities of structuring a Pan-India scientific knowledge sharing network to achieve optimum utilization of resources. Further, he emphasized upon the challenge of climate change that the humanity is facing today and specifically, its ill-effects being experienced on the glaciers in the Himalayan region. The Minister exhorted the scientific fraternity at the WIHG to intensify the research initiatives in the field of Himalayan Glaciology and work towards achieving India’s commitments made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the Conference of Parties meet in Paris.