October 18th, 2025; Mandi: Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi), a leading second-generation IIT, is delighted to announce the sanction of a prestigious grant from Tata Trusts for its visionary project:
“Tata Trusts Supported Augmented Facilities for Empowering Resilience in Himalayan Hills (Tata Trusts SAFER Hills)”
This five-year grant (August 2025 to July 2030) marks a transformative step in bolstering disaster preparedness and community-centric innovation in the Himalayan region. The project is planned to be implemented under the aegis of the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management (C3DAR) at IIT Mandi.
The initiative aims to build advanced research facilities, empower local communities, and create sustainable technological interventions to mitigate the impact of climate-induced disasters in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The research outcome will serve the nation as a whole and the world.
Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, “IIT Mandi, said,The recent devastation caused by landslides and floods in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand is a stark reminder of the urgent need for resilient systems. With the generous support of Tata Trusts, we will advance cutting-edge research, strengthen community resilience, and build innovative solutions that safeguard both lives and livelihoods. This initiative stands as a model of how academia and philanthropy can collaborate to drive societal impact.”
Prof. Varun Dutt, Dean, Resource Generation & Alumni Relations (DORA), IIT Mandi, remarked and said “We are deeply grateful to Tata Trusts for supporting Tata Trusts SAFER Hills initiative. This collaboration will enable IIT Mandi to advance research and deploy impactful solutions for landslide risk reduction and community resilience in the Himalayas. By combining scientific innovation with local engagement, we aim to create safer, more sustainable hill communities for generations to come.”
Tata Trusts SAFER Hills grant reflects the strength of academia–philanthropy partnerships in driving social impact. With the generous support of Tata Trusts, IIT Mandi will lead innovation in disaster risk reduction across earthquakes, landslides, and floods, while strengthening resilience in Himalayan communities.
Dr. Kala V. Uday, Chairperson, C3DAR, IIT Mandi, added “At C3DAR, our mission is to merge advanced technologies with sustainable practices to build resilience. Tata Trusts SAFER Hills initiative will expand early warning systems, advance earthquake preparedness, and integrate community- and nature-based solutions, creating replicable models for vulnerable regions across the country.”
Siddharth Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Trusts “The recent devastation in Mandi is a stark reminder of the risks this region continues to face, and of the resilience demanded of its people and ecosystems. At Tata Trusts, our commitment has always been to build institutions and partnerships that translate research and local knowledge into sustainable action. The collaboration with IIT Mandi under the SAFER Hills initiative reflects that belief—bringing together science, community insights, and institutional strength to create scalable solutions that safeguard those most exposed to climate extremes.”
On behalf of the Institute, the DORA office, and C3DAR expressed heartfelt appreciation to Tata Trusts for their invaluable support. They also acknowledged the crucial contributions of the DORA team, Chair and faculty of C3DAR, and the broader research ecosystem of the Institute in securing this landmark collaboration.
This grant further cements IIT Mandi’s commitment to high-impact research, societal engagement, and sustainable development aligned with national and global priorities.