Thank you for visiting the Official Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF) website.
This website provides an overview of SMF’s more than 30 years of service for Ganga ji and the people of Varanasi, India. Since its inception in 1982, SMF has had a mission – Not one drop of sewage in Ganga. In order to actualize this mission we have divided our activities into three fields of operation. First, we are committed to seeing the spiritual purity of Ganga reflected in the river’s physical purity. We have proposed an innovative wastewater management solution that would intercept and treat sewage from the city of Varanasi so that it could not pollute this most sacred of rivers. Second, we conduct water quality research to hold the government and its contractors accountable for their actions. The Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory is the only laboratory in Varanasi that regularly monitors water quality. Finally, we conduct many public outreach campaigns informing the public about environmental awareness. Annually we host three major events World Water Day, World Environment Day, and International Student’s Congress. We hope you will join us and support us in our cause!
Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
05.07.2024
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
21.06.2024
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
14.06.2024
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
07.06.2024
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
27.05.2024
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
16.05.2024
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
08.03.24
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
09.02.2024
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
04.01.24
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
18.12.2023
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
14.12.2023
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Var
11.12.2023
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varana
03.11.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
23.10.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
24.06.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
29.05.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
01.05.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
14.04 23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
17.03.23
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Tulsi Ghat (Across sampling)13.02.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
13.02.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
10.02.23 [table id=15 /]
Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
05.02.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
27.01.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
16.01.23
[table id=18 /]Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi 13.01.23
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
02.01.2023
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
26.12.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
23.12.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
09.12.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
05.12.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
02.12.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
14.07.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
08.07.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
03.06.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
27.05.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
04.04.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
02.04.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
07.01.22
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
17.12.21
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
13.12.21
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
29.11.21
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
25.11.21
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
15.03.21
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
12.03.21
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
01-03-2021
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
15-02-2021
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
12.02.2021
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
15-01-2021
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
01.02.2021
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
08-01-2021
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Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi
04-01-2021
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The Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF), is a Varanasi based NGO committed to clean Ganga ji.
The first phase of Ganga Action Plan (GAP) for Varanasi was commissioned in the year 1993. GAP-I was not able to completely stop the flow of sewage into Ganga ji at Varanasi. SMF was monitoring Ganga water quality along its religious bathing area with the support of its water quality monitoring laboratory established on the bank of Ganga ji at Tulsighat. SMF observed that drains were discharging sewage into Ganga ji. The collection, conveyance and treatment works of sewage were not working satisfactorily. Ganga water quality along the religious bathing area of Varanasi was badly affected. SMF communicated its observations regarding to the Govt. The Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) asked SMF to prepare an alternative plan for the management of sewage of Varanasi. The comprehensive plan to clean Ganga at Varanasi was made on the request of VNN as an alternative to the Govt’s Ganga Action Plan (run between 1986-1993) and to satisfy the objectives of Ganga Action Plan (GAP) launched in Varanasi in 1986 by Hon’ble Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi ji. The comprehensive plan was submitted to VNN in 1997 and was unanimously accepted by the House of VNN. SMF has been struggling since then to see the plan is implemented in Varanasi to stop flow of sewage in Ganga to clean Ganga in Varanasi.
In the year 2001 the aforesaid SMF’s comprehensive plan was not chosen by the NRCD, GoI for implementation. The implementation of the plan prepared by nodal agency of GoUP based on conventional technology was chosen for implementation in second phase of GAP(GAP-II).
In 2007 Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh ji chaired a meeting in PMO where holistic plan for conserving and cleaning all rivers of India was presented by the NRCD. Activists and knowledgeable retired GoI Secretaries and organizations like SMF were invited to attend the meeting. SMF was requested in the meeting to present state of Ganga in Varanasi and various plans running to clean Ganga in the holy city. SMF’s presentation was received favorably and consensus emerged to prioritize works to clean Ganga in Varanasi and use innovative plans like the comprehensive plan of SMF.
On 30th June 2008 NRCD asked SMF (i) to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) and build 37 mld AIWPS STP at Ramana and (ii) prepare DPR of the interceptor of about 100 mld sewage handling capacity for Varanasi Ghats on Ganga and adjoining areas. SMF along with its associate GO2 Water, Inc. have been entrusted with the job. Time is running out without commencement of any concrete work in Varanasi to clean Ganga. In 2011 the World Bank loaned the GoI one billion USD to clean the Ganga. The SMF’s comprehensive plan has not been considered. The GoI has set that by March 2020 Ganga will be 100 % clean.
SMF is currently engaged in regular monitoring of Ganga water quality in the religious bathing area of Varanasi to monitor the efficacy of Govt’s plan to clean Ganga, awareness building among masses specifically young citizen by organising culturally consistent environmental education programme.
The name addresses and occupation of the office bearer and members of the committee of management of the Foundation (2019-20)
| Sl. No. | Name and Address | Occupation | Post |
| 1. |
Shri Vishwambhar Nath mishraS/o late Shri Veer Bhadra Mishra |
Teaching | President |
| 2. |
Shri Jainendra Sahai sinhaS/o late Shri Anand sahai sinha |
Legal Profession | Vice-President |
| 3. |
Shri Umesh Chandra Tiwari(Advocate)S/o late Shri Rameshwar Nath Tiwari |
Legal Profession | Secretary |
| 4. |
Shri Siddh Nath UpadhyayS/o late Shri Satya Narayan Upadhyay |
Teaching | Member |
| 5. |
Ms. Marilyn MontgomeryD/o Stuart danniel Gunn |
Medical | Member |
| 6. |
Prof. V. S. ChauhanS/o late shri R S Chouhan |
Ex Director visiting scientist, IGEB, New Delhi | Member |
| 7. |
Dr. Vijaya Nath MishraS/o late Shri Veer Bhadra Mishra |
Medical | Member |
| 8. |
Shri Anil Kumar ShrivastavaS/o late Shri Umesh Chand Shrivastava |
Chief Engineer Sone(Irrigation) retired | Member |
| 9. |
Shri Arvind Kapil Deo Mishra6-70/80,Dr. Babasahab Ambedkar Marg, |
Business | Member |
Milestones
The Swatcha Ganga Campaign of the Sankat Mochan Foundation is the only case in India where there has been a prolonged and active involvement of civil society in the campaign to clean a river. This document is a historical record of the struggle by the SMF for:
- Appropriate technology solutions to sewage pollution of religious bathing areas
- Democratic process
- Peoples participation
The campaign has evolved over time through a range of key activities. At any one time all these activities will be in operation, but one activity will have primary importance:
- 1982 – 1992: Catalytic agent
- 1992 – 1995: Watchdog
- 1996 – 1997: Technical experts
- 1998 – till now: Activist for people”s participation, local control, accountability and transparency of process.
These various roles have been fluid and have also been characterized by positive initiatives such as environmental education, village water supply programs and removing solid wastes from Ganga water along the ghats.
Vision & Mission
The Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF), is a Varanasi based registered society committed to clean Ganga ji. Comprising of active and committed members of the society, university professors, practicing religious people, poets, student representatives and friends of Ganga ji all over the world SMF is well respected for its work to clean Ganga ji at Varanasi.
Working since 1982 SMF has the credit of presenting a comprehensive plan to stop total flow of sewage from the city of Varanasi into Ganga ji with a two step plan. First, by laying watertight interceptors along the banks of Ganga, Varuna and Assi Rivers. Then, employing an Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond System (AIWPS), which uses minimal electricity to treat sewage, reducing the organic content and fecal coliform bacteria in sewage remarkably. This plan would clean Ganga at Varanasi, and serve as a model for other Indian cities. The Ganga river basin is the most polluted and populace river basin in the world. In many areas access to electricity and funds are limited. This plan can be replicated at low cost and remain self sustaining. We envision a Ganga whose physical purity reflects her spiritual purity, and we know it to be possible.