The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has started research projects to check the effects of radiation in northern India. The Garhwal Central University here has been made the nodal centre for the research. The research will focus on the effect of radiation from radon, uranium and thorium on the air, water and soil in northern States. Scientists have already started work on ascertaining the impact of such radiation on human life as part of this research project for which the Department of Atomic Energy has approved Rs 85 lakh. It is pertinent to mention here that reports of radioactivity in different parts of the country are not uncommon. Dangerous exposure to radioactivity is known to cause cancer and other serious illnesses. To ascertain the harmful effects of radioactivity on humans, the BARC has made the Garhwal Central University’s campus here as the nodal centre for northern India. This campus will coordinate research works in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Punjab. The BARC has given the green signal for undertaking four research projects in Punjab, one each in Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, three in Uttar Pradesh and five research projects in Uttarakhand. These research works will be carried out under the direction of the Garhwal Central University’s SRT campus. The SRT campus director and BARC research nodal centre coordinator Professor RC Ramola said that uranium remains active for millions of years. Radioactive elements emit alpha, beta and gamma rays. The research being undertaken through the SRT campus will ascertain the level of radiation in various parts of northern India.