ugantar Bharati was formed in the year 1996 with an objective to provide training for gainful employment, arranging health check up camps, doing afforestation with a view to help the people of erstwhile Bihar. After creation of Jharkhand in November 2000, Yugantar Bharati focused its activities in the field of environment under the dynamic guidance of Shri Saryu Roy, then a Member of Bihar Legislative council, who in February 2005 was elected a Member of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.

Yugantar Bharati started working on Damodar River in the year 2002-03. As a member of two high power committees constituted by the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, in 2002-03 noted environmental activist, Sri Saryu Roy visited various coalfields of the county. During his visits in CCL and BCCL areas in Jharkhand, he was shocked to see the state of pollution and environmental degradation of river Damodar. In May 2004 he invited certain NGO activists, Social Workers, academician to discuss the ways and means of eradicating pollution of the river Damodar. He asked Yugantar Bharati to act as a nodal agency NGO for his “Damodar Bachao Andolan”. Yugantar Bharati chalked out a plan for “Damodar Bachao Andolan” under his leadership. A team comprising of Mr. Ganesh Reddy, Mr. Manoj Kr. Singh, and other did a recci to find out the approach to the origin point of River Damodar, that is, “Chulha Pani” which is situated in Kuru block of Lohardagga district of Jharkhand State. Thereafter, a mass-awareness-cum-study expedition was mooted to ascertain the present status of river Damodar. This expedition began on 29th May, 2004 from the origin point of Damodar river (Chulha Pani) and terminated at Kolkata on 4 June, 2004.

The team included noted scientist Dr. R.K. Sinha ( Dolphin Man), Dr. Gopal Sharma, scientist of Zoological Servey of India (ZSI), geologists, media persons, NGO activists, social scientists, folk artists, painters and local persons. The Scientists headed by Dr. R.K. Sinha did detail audit of pollution load of river Damodar, water quality assessment, aquatic life profile of the river, through study of various parameters of pollution. The observation and outcome of the study was complied in the form of reports. It was a successful campaign which galvanised the people in general and administrators and policy makers in particular about the state of affairs of river Damodar which was converted into a aquatic desert by the PSU’S like CCL, BCCL, BSL, thermal power plants of DVC and others, situated along the bank of the river.

After successful campaign of Damodar a seminar cum exhibition was organized from 24-26 September, 2004 at Town Hall, Ranchi, in which plight of the river Damodar was shown through various photographs, paintings and creative arts. Huge response of public, politicians, academicians, administrators, journalist, scientist and persons from all walks of life made this exhibition a great sucess. On that occasion, Sri V.P. Marwah, Hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand, Sri Arjun Munda, Cheif Minister of Jharkhand, Dr. R.K. Sinha, scientist and others shared their concern for Damodar.

Further, Yugantar Bharati, organised a National Seminar on Environment Regeneration of Jharkhand with special reference to Damodar Basin from 5 to 7 Dec., 2004 at SKIPA, Ranchi. Sri V.P. Marwah, Hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand inaugurated the seminar which was addressed by eminent speakers like Sri M.C. Mehta, Advocate of Supreme Court of India. Dr. Chalapati Rao, Scientist from NEERI, Dr. R.K. Sinha, Scientist from Patna University, Sri A.K. Singh, Secretary, Mines & Geology, Govt. of Jharkhand. Sri M.K. Mandal, IAS, Sri Ashok Bagat Secretary of Vikash Bharati NGO, etc. The key recommendation of this Seminar was submitted to the government and other concerned officials for implementation.

Since 2004, a number of environmental activities and initiatives has been under taken by Yugantar Bharati , important amongst those are Subernrekha Pollution Study Tour 2005, Damodar River Water Quality Assessment 2006, Subernrekha River Water Quality Assessment 2006, Damodar River Water Quality Assessment in 2007, Subarnrekha River Water Quality Assessment in 2007 and 2008, Devnad Damodar pollution review campaign 2008.

Keeping the tradition of worshipping nature and natural resources, Yugantar Bharati conceptualised the idea of “River Mahotsava’s” and organised Damodar Mahotsava and Subarnarekha Mahotsava along the bank of river Damodar and Subernarekha in which people from different walk of society participate with enthusiasm and dedication. In 2006 Damodar Mahotsava was held on 6th June at 17 places together at the same time. This initiative promoted new culture and awareness, publicity about the river conservation, its cleanliness, necessities and importance. It resulted in declaration of Ranichua, the origin point of River Subarnrekha as a tourist place.

In this last one decade of environmental initiative, Yugantar Bharati has organised a number seminars, symposia, workshops on various issues pertaining to the problems of environment and pollution of river, land, forests etc. The outcomes of these Seminars in the form of recommendation were handed over to the concerned Departments of the Central and State Government’s. National seminar on Environmental Regeneration of Jharkhand with special reference to Damodar Basin (2004), National Symposium on Molecular Ecology and Biodiversity (2005), National seminar on Human Resources Development for Business synergy (2005), National Seminar on Environment and Conservation of Water resources of Jharkhand (2006), Seminar on water Conservation Strategies of Santhal Pargana, Workshop on Environmental Legislation in India. Interpretation and Implementation (2006), National Seminar on Water Resources of Jharkhand and its Utilisation (2006), Seminar on rise in Earth Temperature Causes and Effects (2007), Seminar on the Blue Planet Earth Ecological Crisis and Strategies for a Better Future (2007), Seminar on Impact of Mining and Industrialization on Biodiversity (2007), National Seminar on Conservation of Minor Sources of Water (2008), National Seminar on Clean Development Mechanism and Carbon Credit (2008), Seminar on problems of Environment and it Solutions (2008), National Seminar on Status of Biodiversity in Jharkhand (2008), National Seminar on “Strategies of Biodiversity Conservation in Jharkhand (2009), “Potable Water Availability and Quality” (2009), “Global Warming” (2010), Drinking Water Quality and Purity” (2011), “Impact of Economic Activities on Biodiversity and Ecology of Saranda Forest” (2011). are amongst the important seminars and workshops organised by Yugantar Bharati in last one decade. Besides organising seminars on various topics, Yuganter Bharati has also felicitated the noted environmentalists who have made valuable contribution in this field. Waterman Sri Rajendra Singh, Padma Shree Prof. syed Ehtesam Hasnain, Prof. Akhouri Balram Prasad, Prof. R. S. Ambasth, and Shri Anupam Mishra are among the noted activists who has been felicitated by Yugantar Bharati in this period.

With a view to guide the new generation in the field of environment, ecology and sustainable development Yugantar Bharati has also established a school for Ecology and Environment Management at Sidrol, Ranchi for which foundation ston has been laid by the noted scientist Prof. S. E. Hasnain.

Thus, in last one decade of environmental initiatives, Yugantar Bharati has raised a number of issues of environmental concern and ecological importance. It has galavanised the society in general and concerned Govt. departments, Scientist Community, Students, Teachers academician, Political activists through mass awareness dharnas, Seminars, memoranda, training etc. These activities have created a positive environment for protection of forests, water, air, land and natural resources. But still Yugantar Bharati has to cover miles and miles to achieve its goals and objective of environmental protection. Yugantar Bharati has also Submitted a number memoranda to address the issue of environmental protection, pollution and ecological concern.

Besides organizing Seminars on Various topic, Yugantar Bharati has also organized workshops, training programmes, mass awareness movements and protest dharnas before headquarters of Central Coalfields Ltd. (CCL), Bharat Coaking Coal Ltd.

(BCCL), Damodar Valley Coporation (DVC) and Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) on June 5 (World In Environment Day in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 repestively and before the Parliament at New Delhi in 2008.