View source for Defence Institute of High Altitude Research

{{Short description|Indian defence laboratory}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}{{infobox laboratory
|name           = Defence Institute of High Altitude Research
|motto          = 
|logo           =
|image          = 
|established    = 1962
|city           = [[Leh]], [[Ladakh]], India
|research_field = 
|type           = 
|director       = Dr Om Prakash Chaurasia
|staff          = 
|budget         = 
|operating_agency = [[DRDO]]
|affiliations   = 
|address        = 
|telephone      = 
|campus         = 
|website        = https://www.drdo.gov.in/labs-and-establishments/defence-institute-high-altitude-research-dihar
|footnotes      =
|coordinates = {{coord|34.138215|77.572682|display=inline,title}}
}}

The '''Defence Institute of High Altitude Research'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) {{!}} Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India |url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/labs-and-establishments/defence-institute-high-altitude-research-dihar |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=www.drdo.gov.in}}</ref> ('''DIHAR''') is a defence laboratory of the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO)<ref>{{Cite news|title=DRDO establishes COVID-19 facility at Defence Institute of High Altitude Research|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/drdo-establishes-covid-19-facility-at-defence-institute-of-high-altitude-research/articleshow/77126574.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2022-01-24}}</ref> located in [[Leh]] city of [[Ladakh]] in [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Where is Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (D - GKToday|url=https://www.gktoday.in/question/where-is-defence-institute-of-high-altitude-resear|access-date=2022-01-24|website=www.gktoday.in}}</ref> It conducts research on cold arid agro-animal technologies.

== History ==

In 2014, the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) successfully [[Crossbreed|cross-bred]] and produced the [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] Zanskar [[Pony|ponies]], which can carry an increased weight load for the Indian Army's requirements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srivastava |first=Vanita |date=18 February 2014 |title=DRDO lab produces 'smarter' ponies for Indian Army |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/drdo-lab-produces-smarter-ponies-for-indian-army/story-mgUC0NvxW2SMt1eBcQzzBM.html |access-date=11 November 2024 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

In 2015, DIHAR established an Extreme Altitude Research Centre in [[Chang La]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], at a height of 17,600 ft above mean sea level, making world’s highest terrestrial research and development centre.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=4 October 2015 |title=DRDO inaugurates world’s highest R&D centre in Chang La |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/drdo-inaugurates-new-r-d-centre-in-chang-la-at-17-600-ft/story-JqRbTFWuLoXG4KvBAtfNZL.html |access-date=7 November 2024 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

In 2020, with an intent to make the DRDO leaner and more effective, it was proposed to merge the [[Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research]] (DIBER), DIHAR, and [[Defence Research Laboratory]] (DRL). The collaboration with the [[Defence Food Research Laboratory]] and the [[Central Food Technological Research Institute]] of the [[Council of Scientific and Industrial Research]] (CSIR) will be enhanced.<ref name="dr2">[https://www.theweek.in/theweek/current/2021/04/15/drdo-to-become-leaner-and-more-focused-on-futuristic-technology.html DRDO to become leaner and more focused on futuristic technology], The Week, 25 April 2021.</ref> Also in 2020, DIHAR developed a [[Microgreen|microgreens]] cultivation technology for India's patrol posts and [[Bunker|bunkers]] along the [[Siachen Glacier|Saichen Glacier]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srikanth |first=B. R. |date=2020-01-08 |title=Siachen troops will get fresh veggies with help of new tech |url=https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/080120/siachen-troops-will-get-fresh-veggies-with-help-of-new-tech.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=The Asian Age |language=en}}</ref>

Since 2024, DIHAR has been developing a solar thermal warming technology, which is named as "Solar Thermal Energy Based Technology for Space Heating (Human Habitation) In High Altitude", for warming the shelters for soldiers during [[Ladakh]]'s winters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bagla |first=Pallava |date=14 October 2024 |title=A Defence Lab Taps Solar Energy To Keep Indian Soldiers Warm In Ladakh |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/a-defence-lab-taps-solar-energy-to-keep-indian-soldiers-warm-in-ladakh-6789101 |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=NDTV}}</ref> 

== Administration == 

DIHAR is headed by a director. The [[Chief executive officer|present director]] of DIHAR is Dr. Om Prakash Chaurasia.

==See also==

; Research 
* [[List of academic and research institutes in Ladakh]]<!--NOTE: Retain redlink, article has been submitted for approval.-->
* [[Siachen Base Camp (India)]]
* [[Research stations in Antarctica#List of research stations|List of Antarctic research stations]]
* [[Antarctic field camps|List of Antarctic field camps]]
* [[List of highest astronomical observatories]]

; Borders
* [[Actual Ground Position Line]] (AGPL), [[India–Pakistan border|India-Pakistan border]] across [[Siachen Glacier|Siachen region]]
* [[Line of Actual Control]] (LAC), India-China border across Ladakh
* [[Line of Control]] (LoC), India-Pakistan border across Ladakh and [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]

; Conflicts
* [[Sino-Indian War]]
* [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts]]
* [[Siachen conflict]]
* [[Siachen Glacier]]

; Tourism and infrastructure
* [[India-China Border Roads]]
* [[Siachen Base Camp (India)]] 
* [[Tourism in Ladakh]]
	
; Geography
* [[Geology of the Himalaya]] 
* [[Indus-Yarlung suture zone]]
* [[List of districts of Ladakh]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.drdo.gov.in/labs-and-establishments/defence-institute-high-altitude-research-dihar Defence Institute High Altitude Research Dihar]

{{DRDO Laboratories}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:1962 establishments in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1962]]
[[Category:Defence Research and Development Organisation laboratories]]
[[Category:Research and development in India]]
[[Category:Research institutes established in 1962]]
[[Category:Education in Ladakh]]