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{{copyedit|date=April 2007}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
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'''Sankat Mochan Foundation''' (SMF) is a ] devoted to cleaning the ] and protecting the ] river in ]. The environmental mission is related to the religious mission of ] and Late ] was manager of both organizations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Jai-Ganga-Maiyya/articleshow/4581002.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104051040/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-05-26/varanasi/28183008_1_ganga-dussehra-ganga-action-plan-ganga-seva-abhiyan|url-status=live|archive-date=November 4, 2012|work=]|title=Jai Ganga Maiyya...|date=May 26, 2009}}</ref><ref name="ti">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/reports/environment/heroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,mishra,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816092014/http://www.time.com/time/reports/environment/heroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,mishra,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 August 2000|title=Holy War for "My Mother"|date=16 August 1999|magazine=]}}</ref>
'''Sankat Mochan Foundation''' (SMF) is a charitable organization devoted to cleaning and protecting the sacred ] river in ].
Mishra was awarded the ]'s (]) the "]" in ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.global500.org/ViewLaureate.asp?ID=246|title=Adult Award Winner in 1992: Veer Bhadra Mishra|publisher=] website}}</ref> The foundation has been working with Australia-based environmental group, Oz Greene, under a program called "Swatcha Ganga Abhiyan" for over 38 years. It celebrated its silver jubilee on 3–4 November 2007, with two-day event which concluded at the Tulsi Ghat, on the Ganges.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Centre-should-take-steps-to-clean-Ganga-river/235935/|title='Centre should take steps to clean Ganga river'|date=5 November 2007|work=Indian Express|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011030615/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Centre-should-take-steps-to-clean-Ganga-river/235935/|archivedate=11 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] founding President.]] -->
Sankat Mochan Foundation was founded in 1982 as a non-profit, non-political organization under the "Societies Act" of the Government of ] by ]. The vision of Sankat Mochan Foundation is to
Sankat Mochan Foundation was founded in 1982 as a non-profit, non-political organization under the "Societies Act" of the Government of ] by Pandit Mishra.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sankatmochanfoundationonline.org/vision.html |title=Our Vision |accessdate=2007-05-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928134909/http://www.sankatmochanfoundationonline.org/vision.html |archivedate=28 September 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The vision of Sankat Mochan Foundation is to
# Restore the ] by alleviating its fast deteriorating environmental conditions # Restore the ] by alleviating its fast deteriorating environmental conditions
# Promote education and health care programs for the less privileged # Promote education and health care programs for the less privileged
# Maintain and encourage the age-old cultural traditions of ], in tune with its current environmental needs # Maintain and encourage the age-old cultural traditions of ], in tune with its current environmental needs


SMF runs the Swatcha Ganga (Clean Ganges) program, and so SMF is sometimes referred to as "Swatcha Ganga". SMF runs the Swatcha Ganga (Clean Ganges) program, and so SMF is sometimes referred to as "Swatcha Ganga".

Historically, Sankat Mochan Foundation has managed support from both the Indian government and private foreign donors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sankatmochanfoundationonline.org/milestones.html |title=SMF Milestones |website=sankatmochanfoundationonline.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002043131/http://www.sankatmochanfoundationonline.org/milestones.html |archive-date=2008-10-02}} </ref>


== Ganga Action Plan: Failures == == Ganga Action Plan: Failures ==
{{main | Ganga Action Plan}} {{Main | Ganga Action Plan}}
The ] launched in 1986 by the Government of India has not achieved any success despite expenditure of over five billion rupees. The government claims that the schemes under the Ganga Action Plan have been successful, but actual measurements and scientific data tell a different story. The failure of the GAP is evident but corrective action is lacking. The ] launched in 1986 by the Government of India has not achieved any success despite expenditure of over five billion rupees. The government claims that the schemes under the Ganga Action Plan have been successful, but actual measurements and scientific data tell a different story. The failure of the GAP is evident but corrective action is lacking.


The ineffectiveness of the current Ganga Action Plan could be found based on the results observed in the following table: The ineffectiveness of the current Ganga Action Plan could be found based on the results observed in the following table:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.friendsofganges.org/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=132&nav_cat_id=133&nav_top_id=63&dsb=6|title = Маска защитная медицинская купить - маски марлевые медицинские купить Киев}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
! Location / Parameters ! Location / Parameters
! Biochemical Oxygen Demand (mg/l) ! Biochemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L)
! Fecal Coliform Count / 100ml ! Faecal Coliform Count / 100ml
|- |-
| At beginning of the Varanasi City ... Near Assi/Tulsi ghat | At beginning of the Varanasi City ... Near Assi/Tulsi ghat
| 3-8 mg/l | 3–8&nbsp;mg/L
| 20,000 - 100,000 per 100ml | 20,000 - 100,000 per 100ml
|- |-
| Downstream of the Varanasi City ... Varuna confluence with Ganga | Downstream of the Varanasi City ... Varuna confluence with the Ganges
| 20-50 mg/l | 20–50&nbsp;mg/L
| 1,000,000-2,000,000 per 100ml | 1,000,000-2,000,000 per 100ml
|- |-
| Permissible limits for bathing | Permissible limits for bathing
| Less than 3mg/l | Less than 3&nbsp;mg/L
| Less than 500 per 100ml | Less than 500 per 100ml
|} |}


Note:'' The higher the Biochemical Oxygen Demand, the higher the pollution (conversely there is '''more dissolved oxygen needed''' to make the water safe). Note:'' The higher the Biochemical Oxygen Demand, the higher the pollution (conversely there is '''more dissolved oxygen needed''' to make the water safe).''
''


== Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond Systems ==
== SMF AIWPS Solution ==
SMF is implementing a system called "Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond Systems (AIWPS)". Each AIWPS facility designs and incorporates a series of low-cost ponds or earthwork reactors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ponce.sdsu.edu/aiwps.html|title=advanced integrated wastewater pond systems, Tuba Ertas, Victor Miguel Ponce|website=ponce.sdsu.edu}}</ref> A typical AIWPS facility consists of a minimum of four ponds in series. These systems would store sewage for 45 days, using bacteria and algae to eliminate waste and purify the water.
{{main | SMF AIWPS Solution}}
AIWPS has been developed by Professor William J. Oswald and his co-workers at the University of California, Berkeley over the past four decades. Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond Systems (AIWPS) are potentially feasible for application in the developing world.


SMF's evaluations show AIWPS to be lower cost, more energy-efficient, more climate-appropriate, and more effective at treating sewage than other proposals submitted. Sankat Mochan Foundation, working alongside Oswald Green LLC now Oswald Green Technologies, Inc.,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oswaldgreentech.com/|title=Welcome to Oswald Green Technologies, Inc. - Oswald Green Technologies, Inc.|website=oswaldgreentech.com}}</ref> had proposed this system for treating the sewage water that is being let in to the Ganges River near Varanasi. This solution has been supported by Varanasi Nagar Nigam (Varanasi Local Government Body, Municipal Corporation) but central and state government have not approved the budget.
Each AIWPS facility designs and incorporates a series of low-cost ponds or earthwork reactors. A typical AIWPS facility consists of a minimum of four ponds in series. These are Advanced Facultative Ponds (AFP), Secondary Facultative Ponds or Algal High Rate Ponds (HRP), Algae Settling Ponds (ASP), Maturation Ponds. These systems would store sewage for 45 days, using bacteria and algae to eliminate waste and purify the water.


Recently NGT directed NMCG to monitor the progress of implementation of action plan of Namami Gange project
This is a low cost, highly efficient and effective mode of treating sewage, with nearly no power requirement, and it is well suited for a tropical location like the Gangetic Plains. Sankat Mochan Foundation, working alongside , had proposed this system for treating the sewage water that is being let in to Ganga near Varanasi. Though this solution was unanimously accepted by Varanasi Nagar Nigam (Varanasi Local Government Body, Municipal Corporation), based on the facts that this solution is more economical, superior in technology and requires very little maintenance, it has been stalled by the apathy and indifference shown by the central and state government bureaucracy.


== SMF Milestones == ==See also==
* ]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Milestones
|-
| 1982
| SMF founded by a group of citizens and engineers of Varanasi, led by Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra
|-
| 1983
| SMF launches the Swatcha Ganga (Clean Ganges) Campaign, a public education program for raising the awareness about the pollution of Ganga
|-
|1986
| ] (GAP) launched by the Government. Varanasi GAP Phase I includes construction of three sewage treatment plants, pumping stations, and electric crematorium at Varanasi. But GAP was a complete failure due to high levels of corruption and poor design strategy
|-
|1992
| SMF and Friends of the Ganges (FOG) USA organize an International Conference on "Pollution Control in River Cities of India: A case study of Ganga at Varanasi" at Tulsi Ghat. Experts from the USA and Sweden also participate.
|-
|1993
| The Swatcha Ganga Research Laboratory (SGRL) is established with the support of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SNF), and laboratory data establishes the inefficiency of GAP Phase I schemes. This state-of-the-art laboratory produces a reliable database.
|-
|1996
| SMF proposes interceptor sewers along Ganga and Varuna rivers and AIWPS type of sewage treatment scheme for Varanasi.
|-
|1997
| The "Feasibility Study of Interceptor Sewers and AIWPS Technology for Prevention of Pollution of Ganga at Vatranasi" is prepared jointly by SMF and Oswald-Green LLC, and is recommended and submitted by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VNN) to the Government for GAP Phase-II.
|-
|1998
| "Swatcha Ganga Environmental Education Center", a joint initiative of SMF and Oz-GREEN/FOG of Australia is established at Tulsighat.
|-
|1999
| Continuing efforts are made to educate local and national Government as to the advantages of appropriate and sustainable sewage treatment.
|-
|2000
| Extension of the environmental education programme and initiation of clean drinking water projects in villages in collaboration with Oz-GREEN, Australia.
US President Bill Clinton praises the Swatcha Ganga Campaign in his speech at Agra in India
|-
|2001
|Three year project "Addressing Ganga's Pollution at Varanasi with change in social habits and use through awareness, mobilization and information dissemination" launched with support from SIDA, Sweden
|-
|2002
|Active Collaboration established between cleanup campaigners of the "River Thames" in London and the Civil Society Partnership Program (CSPP) of Ganga in India, is launched by SMF with support from the Asia Foundation's "Asia Environmental Program", San Francisco, United States.
"Adopt a Ghat" program launched. Schools and other local institutions come forth to adopt the world famous historical Ghats at the Ganga's bank to maintain their cleanliness, with support from SIDA
|-
|2003
|SMF and Oz-GREEN, Australia jointly organize the International Students Congress. Participants from Australia, Bangladesh and many schools from Indian cities participated and decided their action plan for pollution abatement
|-
|2004
|"Clean Ganga - Clean Ghat" a collaborative demonstration project implemented with support of British High Commission, New Delhi, under the SIDA project "Clean Ganga Conclave" at Tulsighat, and under the CSPP Clean Ganga Day organized at New Delhi
|-
|2005
|
SMF & Oz-GREEN organize 3rd International Students Congress
MoU signed between Times Foundation, K.K. Jajodia Foundation and Art of Living Foundation for the Holy Ganga Initiative
Students from Australia and Sweden participate in World Environment Day celebration
Clean Ganga Day organized in New Delhi
MoU signed with Oxfam Svaraj for cleaning the River Ganga water front and ghats of Varanasi a
|-

|}


==References==
== Associated Organizations ==
{{Reflist}}
* http://www.thames21.org.uk/
* http://www.asiafoundation.org/
* http://www.ozgreen.org.au/
* http://www.friendsofganges.org/
* http://www.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=121&language=en_US


== See also == == External links ==
* * {{Official website|http://www.sankatmochanfoundationonline.org|Sankat Mochan Foundation, official website}}
* *
*
*
*
*
* *
* *

*
{{Authority control}}
*

*
*
*
] ]
]
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]
]
]
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Latest revision as of 20:12, 15 October 2024

Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF) is a non-governmental organization devoted to cleaning the pollution of the Ganges and protecting the Ganges river in India. The environmental mission is related to the religious mission of Sankat Mochan Temple and Late Veer Bhadra Mishra was manager of both organizations. Mishra was awarded the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) the "Global 500 Roll of Honour" in 1992, The foundation has been working with Australia-based environmental group, Oz Greene, under a program called "Swatcha Ganga Abhiyan" for over 38 years. It celebrated its silver jubilee on 3–4 November 2007, with two-day event which concluded at the Tulsi Ghat, on the Ganges.

History

Sankat Mochan Foundation was founded in 1982 as a non-profit, non-political organization under the "Societies Act" of the Government of India by Pandit Mishra. The vision of Sankat Mochan Foundation is to

  1. Restore the Ganges by alleviating its fast deteriorating environmental conditions
  2. Promote education and health care programs for the less privileged
  3. Maintain and encourage the age-old cultural traditions of Varanasi, in tune with its current environmental needs

SMF runs the Swatcha Ganga (Clean Ganges) program, and so SMF is sometimes referred to as "Swatcha Ganga".

Historically, Sankat Mochan Foundation has managed support from both the Indian government and private foreign donors.

Ganga Action Plan: Failures

Main article: Ganga Action Plan

The Ganga Action Plan launched in 1986 by the Government of India has not achieved any success despite expenditure of over five billion rupees. The government claims that the schemes under the Ganga Action Plan have been successful, but actual measurements and scientific data tell a different story. The failure of the GAP is evident but corrective action is lacking.

The ineffectiveness of the current Ganga Action Plan could be found based on the results observed in the following table:

Location / Parameters Biochemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L) Faecal Coliform Count / 100ml
At beginning of the Varanasi City ... Near Assi/Tulsi ghat 3–8 mg/L 20,000 - 100,000 per 100ml
Downstream of the Varanasi City ... Varuna confluence with the Ganges 20–50 mg/L 1,000,000-2,000,000 per 100ml
Permissible limits for bathing Less than 3 mg/L Less than 500 per 100ml

Note: The higher the Biochemical Oxygen Demand, the higher the pollution (conversely there is more dissolved oxygen needed to make the water safe).

Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond Systems

SMF is implementing a system called "Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond Systems (AIWPS)". Each AIWPS facility designs and incorporates a series of low-cost ponds or earthwork reactors. A typical AIWPS facility consists of a minimum of four ponds in series. These systems would store sewage for 45 days, using bacteria and algae to eliminate waste and purify the water.

SMF's evaluations show AIWPS to be lower cost, more energy-efficient, more climate-appropriate, and more effective at treating sewage than other proposals submitted. Sankat Mochan Foundation, working alongside Oswald Green LLC now Oswald Green Technologies, Inc., had proposed this system for treating the sewage water that is being let in to the Ganges River near Varanasi. This solution has been supported by Varanasi Nagar Nigam (Varanasi Local Government Body, Municipal Corporation) but central and state government have not approved the budget.

Recently NGT directed NMCG to monitor the progress of implementation of action plan of Namami Gange project

See also

References

  1. "Jai Ganga Maiyya..." The Times of India. 26 May 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012.
  2. "Holy War for "My Mother"". TIME. 16 August 1999. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000.
  3. "Adult Award Winner in 1992: Veer Bhadra Mishra". Global 500 Roll of Honour website.
  4. "'Centre should take steps to clean Ganga river'". Indian Express. 5 November 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012.
  5. "Our Vision". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
  6. "SMF Milestones". sankatmochanfoundationonline.org. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008.
  7. "Маска защитная медицинская купить - маски марлевые медицинские купить Киев".
  8. "advanced integrated wastewater pond systems, Tuba Ertas, Victor Miguel Ponce". ponce.sdsu.edu.
  9. "Welcome to Oswald Green Technologies, Inc. - Oswald Green Technologies, Inc". oswaldgreentech.com.

External links

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