Faith Meets Science to Save Maa Ganga

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Not a Drop of Sewage in Ganga Not a Drop of Sewage in Ganga Not a Drop of Sewage in Ganga Not a Drop of Sewage in Ganga Not a Drop of Sewage in Ganga Not a Drop of Sewage in Ganga Not a Drop of Sewage in Ganga Not a Drop of Sewage in Ganga
Our Sacred Roots

The Swatcha Ganga Campaign — Over 4 decades of Vigilance

The Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF) is a Varanasi-based registered NGO committed to clean Ganga ji. Founded in 1982 by Mahant Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra, the foundation bridges the gap between traditional reverence for the river and modern environmental science.

SMF has prepared a comprehensive plan to stop the total flow of sewage from Varanasi into Ganga. This plan was made at the request of Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) as an alternative to the Government's Ganga Action Plan (GAP) launched in Varanasi in 1986 by Hon'ble Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi Ji. The plan was unanimously accepted by the House of VNN in 1997.

The foundation's two-step solution: first, laying watertight interceptors along the banks of Ganga, Varuna and Assi rivers; then employing the Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond System (AIWPS), which uses minimal electricity to treat sewage — reducing organic content and fecal coliform bacteria remarkably.

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Preserving Maa Ganga — Sankat Mochan Foundation
Founded in 1982 — Varanasi
Varanasi registered NGO
UN Global 500 Laureate
Scientific Testing

Water quality testing at Tulsighat Lab since 1993

AIWPS Technology

Gravity-fed, zero-electricity sewage treatment plans

Policy & Law

Active environmental advocacy with NGT and the Supreme Court

Mahant Prof. Vishwambhar Nath Mishra addressing Run for Clean Ganga runners Flagship Event Run for Clean Ganga — 6K Marathon, Varanasi Runners, students and citizens of Kashi take to the streets for Maa Ganga. See race-day videos, the flag-off and photo highlights. Explore the Marathon
National Recognition

A Vision Shared by the Nation's Leaders

On 21 May 2024, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath visited Shri Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi to offer prayers and offer their support.

Following their prayers, they held an important meeting with Mahant Ji Prof. Vishwambhar Nath Mishra. Prof. Mishra discussed in detail issues related to the pollution of the Ganga at Varanasi, presenting the foundation's scientific assessments and two-step sewage diversion solutions.

"Prof. Mishra discussed in detail issues related to the pollution of Ganga at Varanasi, highlighting the critical interface between traditional faith and modern river science."

PM Modi and Mahant Ji at Sankat Mochan Temple
PM Modi & CM Yogi — 21 May 2024
PM-CM Ganga Dialogue
Varanasi River Restoration
Purpose & Direction

Driven by Mission, Guided by Vision

Our Mission

To implement sustainable, low-cost, and gravity-fed sewage treatment technologies like AIWPS, and to serve as an independent watchdog monitoring the health of the river.

  • Science in service of faith
  • AIWPS sewage treatment advocacy
  • Weekly water quality monitoring
  • Policy engagement with NGT & NMCG

Our Vision

To restore the Ganga to a state where its physical water quality matches its eternal spiritual purity, ensuring that Maa Ganga remains a source of life and liberation.

  • Physical purity, spiritual purity
  • Society committed to clean Ganga ji
  • Holy water for devotees at Varanasi ghats
  • The eternal vow to Maa Ganga

Our Values

We are anchored by integrity, inclusiveness, and innovation. Every action we take is rooted in respect for nature and the dignity of every human being. We believe that real change is participatory and lasting.

  • Transparency & accountability
  • Community-first approach
  • Science-backed interventions
  • Cultural sensitivity & reverence
Our Four Pillars

What We Do

The Swatcha Ganga Campaign has evolved through four core action roles — each essential to cleaning the sacred river and protecting community health.

Scientific Monitoring

Water quality testing at Tulsighat Lab since 1993 — measuring BOD, dissolved oxygen, and fecal coliform at 9 ghats. Over 50,000 samples analyzed.

Flagship Technology

AIWPS Technology

Designed the Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond System with UC Berkeley — a low-cost, gravity-fed treatment system achieving 90% BOD reduction and 99.9% fecal coliform elimination.

Policy & Advocacy

Testimony before the Supreme Court, submission of affidavits to NGT, engagement with NMCG, and triggering operational orders against failing sewage treatment plants (STPs).

Public Awareness

Culturally consistent environmental education programs, Clean Ganga Runs, school outreach, and village water supply initiatives across Varanasi and beyond.

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Social Impact

Ganga Gram & Community Action

From women's collectives to riverfront action — SMF mobilises Kashi's communities to guard Maa Ganga with faith, science, and everyday effort.

Women self-help group livelihood program

Self-Help Groups

Riverside women gather in SHGs to save together, learn together, and build income with dignity. Through micro-credit, cooperative farming, and handcrafting biodegradable products, they create livelihoods that keep waste away from the Ganga. Each group is a circle of trust — turning household skill into community strength.

0+ SHGs Formed
World Environment Day celebration at Tulsi Ghat

World Environment Day

Every 5 June, Sankat Mochan Foundation brings Kashi to the river with purpose. Tree plantations, awareness walks, and public meetings unite students, citizens, and scientists on one platform. It is our annual reminder that reverence for Maa Ganga must be matched by responsible action.

0+ Years of WED Programs
Community cleanliness drive at Varanasi ghats

Cleanliness Drives

Our volunteers lead regular clean-up campaigns across Varanasi's ghats and riverfront neighbourhoods. From waste collection to segregation awareness, every drive teaches pilgrims and residents to treat the ghat as sacred ground — not a dumping site. Swatcha Ganga begins where we pick up the first piece of litter.

0+ Clean-Up Drives
Environmental workshop at Tulsighat Lab

Workshops

At Tulsighat Lab and partner schools, SMF hosts workshops that connect faith with field science. Participants learn water monitoring, pollution awareness, and practical ways to lead change in their own communities. Youth and women leave not only informed — but ready to become guardians of the river.

0+ Workshops Conducted
"When women earn with dignity, when youth learn the science of the river, and when entire neighbourhoods join a clean-up — Maa Ganga feels the difference. These are not one-day events; they are how Kashi learns to care."
— Community Volunteer, Varanasi | Sankat Mochan Foundation
Words of the Founder

The Two Banks Must Both Be Firm

“

Science and technology are one bank of the river, and religion, tradition, and faith are on the other bank of the river. Both the banks need to be firm, and only then can the river maintain the flow.

“

Please consider them an endangered species, these people who still have this faith, this living relationship with the river. If birds can be saved, if plants can be saved, let this species of people be saved by granting them holy water.

“

This is not visionary, it is simply essential.

Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra Founder, Sankat Mochan Foundation | UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour (1992) | TIME Hero of the Planet (1999)
Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra - Founder, Sankat Mochan Foundation
Activities & Initiatives

Our Programs

Scroll to explore — active tab updates as you move through each program.

Tree planting and water quality testing along Ganga riverbank
ENVIRONMENT

Ecological Restoration & Scientific Research

We merge scientific water quality assessments with aggressive reforestation. Operating our independent Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory at Tulsighat, our expert scientists track seasonal pollution spikes, while our community networks plant native trees along Varanasi's riverbanks to control soil erosion and restore Kashi's native riparian biodiversity.

  • 5 Lakh trees planted
  • 100+ water testing points
  • 40 ghats covered
Support Environment Campaigns
Community meeting in Ganga riverside village
COMMUNITY

Grassroots Mobilization & Livelihoods

Empowering riverside villages and pilgrims to lead local environmental guardianship. We establish village-level sanitation committees, build micro-credit Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for rural women to craft biodegradable products, and organize youth forums to report dumping and lead regional sanitation campaigns.

  • 120 Ganga Gram villages
  • 500+ community forums
  • 10,000 youth engaged
Support Community Action
School children learning environmental education about Ganga
EDUCATION

Fostering Ecological Consciousness

Cultivating deep environmental values through school curricula and public science advocacy. Our Green Schools program brings custom environmental science modules to local students, while our annual river-side rallies, art campaigns, and citizen monitoring workshops inspire emotional and scientific stewardship.

  • 500 schools engaged
  • 50,000 art participants
  • 2,000+ digitally trained
Support School Programs
Mobile health clinic and clean water access in Ganga village
HEALTH

Clean Water & Preventive Care

Protecting riverine households from water-borne diseases and poor nutrition. We run mobile healthcare clinics in remote river blocks, install decentralized clean-water purification plants for villages still using raw river water, and establish cooperative kitchen gardens to boost dietary health.

  • 80+ villages served
  • 3,000 nutrition gardens
  • 60+ water purifiers
Support Health Campaigns
Join the Movement

Be a Guardian of the Ganga

Whether you're a student, professional, artist, or technologist — there's a meaningful role for you in our mission. Contribute your time, skills, and passion.

Field Volunteer

Join cleanups, campaigns, and community outreach activities on the ground.

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Digital Champion

Help spread awareness through social media, content creation, and digital campaigns.

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Expert Mentor

Share your expertise in environment, law, tech, or social work with our teams.

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Get In Touch

Connect With Us

Whether you want to volunteer, partner, donate, or simply learn more — we'd love to hear from you.

Stories of Change

Voices from the Community

Community Voice

"Sankat Mochan Foundation gave us more than skills — they gave us self-respect and a voice. My microfinance group now runs a profitable organic farm and we protect our stretch of the Ganga with pride."

SD
Shanti Devi SHG Leader, Varanasi
Community Voice

"I participated in the Ganga Prahari training and it completely changed my understanding of environmental action. Now I train others in my district. This is a true people's movement."

RK
Rajesh Kumar Ganga Prahari, Kashi
Community Voice

"Our village was drowning in waste reaching the Ganga. Sankat Mochan Foundation helped us set up a zero-waste system. Today we are a model Ganga Gram. I am proud of what our community achieved."

PM
Pramod Mishra Community Volunteer, Varanasi
Voice of the River

News & Campaign Updates

Stay informed with the latest scientific assessments, campaign runs, and national dialogues surrounding Kashi's conservation.