About Us
Started by a few, powered by many
How it all started
In 2024, Akhil Rawat stood at Yamunotri Dham and saw something that troubled him deeply — plastic bags and garbage piled up around one of the most sacred places in the Himalayas.
He didn't wait for someone else to fix it. He called a few friends, gathered some garbage bags, and got to work. That small act of faith became Namami Yamuna Foundation.
Today the team has grown and the work has expanded. But the spirit remains the same — ordinary people doing real, honest work for a river they love.
"The Yamuna is our mother. Serving her is our prayer."
— Akhil Rawat, Founder
What we believe in
Faith
For us, cleaning the Yamuna is reverence — not just environmentalism.
Action
We don't write long reports. We go to the river, we clean, we come back.
Community
This work is not possible alone. Every person who joins makes it stronger.
Honesty
We are open about what we do, what we spend, and what we still need.
Our Team
We are a small but committed group. Most of us are from the Uttarkashi region. The mountains are home to us, and the Yamuna is family.
Akhil Rawat
FounderAkhil started the foundation in 2024 after seeing plastic waste piled up around Yamunotri Dham. He leads every cleanup drive and keeps the team's spirit alive.
Navneel Bantwan
CoordinatorNavneel handles logistics for each drive — volunteers, equipment, transport. He makes sure everything actually happens on the ground.
Jaikishan Uniyal
CoordinatorJaikishan connects the team with local communities and partner organisations. He builds the bridges that make the work possible.
+ Many more volunteers who show up when the river calls.