Established in 1982 | Tulsighat, Varanasi

Sankat Mochan Foundation

A not-for-profit, voluntary, secular organisation carrying forward the Swatcha Ganga Abhiyan with one clear vision: not a single drop of sewage into River Ganga at Varanasi.

The Foundation

A clean Ganga campaign born at Tulsi Ghat

Sankat Mochan Foundation was set up in 1982 at Tulsighat, Varanasi, where the poet saint Goswami Tulsidas ji wrote Ram Charit Manas more than 400 years ago.

Since its inception, the Foundation launched the Swatcha Ganga Abhiyan in 1983 — a first-of-its-kind public awareness initiative to protect Ganga ji from manmade pollution. Mother Ganga is revered across the world and provides sustenance to more than 45 crore people living in the Ganga basin.

The campaign attracted worldwide attention and aroused national and international concern over the plight of Maa Ganga ji. Its guiding vision remains simple and uncompromising: not a single drop of sewage into River Ganga at Varanasi.

Devotion and responsibility toward Maa Ganga
Swatcha Ganga Abhiyan Science, faith, and public action working together.
Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory at Tulsighat
Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory Campaign vigilance since 1982; Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory established in 1993.
Research & SBI Support

A laboratory on the bank of River Ganga

The Foundation has a reasonably equipped water quality monitoring laboratory, the Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory, established in 1993 with support from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Stockholm, Sweden, and State Bank of India.

The laboratory works together with an Environmental Education Centre located on the bank of River Ganga at Tulsi Ghat. The first institutional support to the laboratory was provided by the State Bank of India, and Shri Bodhiswar Rai, former Deputy Managing Director, SBI Lucknow, was a member of the SMF Board.

The Foundation's research and initiatives have resulted in an effective technical solution to contain sewage flowing into the river and treat it using low-energy technology.

Campaign Work

Nearly four decades of public action

SMF's work combines engineering intervention with the cultural and religious relationship people have with Ganga ji.

Water Quality Monitoring

Regular monitoring of Ganga water quality along the religious bathing areas of Varanasi through the Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory.

View water quality data →

Environmental Education

Leadership programs for youth and community, school visits to the laboratory, and culturally consistent environmental education.

Join our programmes →

Ghat & Waterfront Cleaning

Programs for removing solid waste from Ganga water along the ghats and cleaning waterfront areas, including work supported by SIDA.

See photos from the ghats →

Sewage Treatment Advocacy

Researching and advocating effective sewage treatment systems for Varanasi and other river cities using minimal electricity.

Read the Save Ganga plan →
Current Situation

The campaign continues because the river still needs vigilance

Ganga is still carrying a large amount of sewage, and its water quality is not fit even for bathing in many stretches. Soaps, detergents, cattle wallowing, animal carcasses, refuse, and garbage continue to harm the health of the river.

The Foundation supports the Government of India's effort to construct new sewage treatment plants in Varanasi, while asking that earlier engineering mistakes not be repeated. STPs must meet the needs of the city, use minimal electricity, remove dangerous pathogens, and reclaim water and nutrients.

Complementary to Government Efforts

SMF works indirectly for the success of government plans by calling for appropriate, effective sewage treatment that can truly make the river free from pollution.

  • Minimal electricity technology
  • Pathogen removal
  • Water and nutrient recovery
  • Protection of river-side communities
Read the Save Ganga plan
Governance & Administration

Founded by Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra

The Foundation was founded in 1982 by the late Dr. Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra and a team of colleagues. Today it is led by honorary directors and advised by leading engineers and scientists.

Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra

Late Dr. Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra

Professor of Hydraulic Engineering at the then Institute of Technology, BHU, and Mahant of Sankat Mochan Temple. He took a holy dip in River Ganga every day and founded SMF to unite science and faith for the river.

Prof. Vishwambhar Nath Mishra

Prof. Vishwambhar Nath Mishra

President of SMF after 2013, IIT Roorkee alumnus, Professor and Head of Electronics Engineering at IIT BHU, and Mahant of Shri Sankat Mochan Temple.

Prof. V. N. Mishra

President

Professor, Department of Electronics Engineering, IIT BHU Varanasi.

Sri J. S. Sinha

Vice-President

Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India.

Padma Shri Prof. V. S. Chauhan

Member

Executive Chairman, NAAC.

Sri U. C. Tiwari

Secretary

Advocate.

Prof. S. N. Upadhyay

Member

Former Director, IT BHU Varanasi; Founding Director.

Dr. V. N. Mishra

Member

Professor, IMS BHU, Varanasi.

Sri A. K. Srivastava

Member

Retired Chief Engineer.

Recognition

Recognised locally, nationally, and globally

SMF's achievements include representation on key advisory groups such as the National Ganga River Basin Authority. Founder-President Prof. V. B. Mishra received the UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour (1992) and was named by TIME Magazine as a Hero of the Planet (1999).

UNEP Global 500 (1992) Hero of the Planet (1999) NGRBA Representation See news & press
Mothers for Mother

Creating space for women's leadership

SMF has sought to create pathways for women's participation in the Swatcha Ganga Campaign for many years. In February 2018, a new approach created a separate space for women to meet, plan, and decide how they wished to participate.

After a river trip with the Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory, the women saw the condition of River Ganga firsthand and resolved to dedicate their efforts to Ganga. The group continued to meet through 2018, organising events such as International Women's Day and joining World Water Day Human Chain activities.

Mothers for Mother works for the Ganga.

  • Build the capacity of women to be informed and active participants.
  • Provide women with a voice in cleaning the Ganga.
  • Include women from all backgrounds.
  • Raise awareness while building knowledge and capacity.
Explore Mothers for Mother
SMF Plan of Action

Environmental education, monitoring, and public mobilisation

Continued monitoring of river water quality along the religious bathing areas of Ganga at Varanasi.

Monitoring the health of air, water, soil, villagers, and economy in areas surrounding sewage treatment plants.

Participation in the Swatcha Ganga Campaign with targeted programs for women and youth.

Creating awareness among school children about pollution and its effect on River Ganga.

Public awareness events including media interactions, World Water Day Human Chain, World Environment Day, and youth congresses.

Bringing government and civil society together to work to clean Ganga ji.

Harnessing the love and respect expressed through Ganga Aarti at Tulsighat to support the clean Ganga mission.

Continuing environmental education and information dissemination through SMF's plan for action.