Born and brought up at Wada, Dist Palghar, Dr Sawant after early education there, obtained his B.Sc. (Chem) from Patkar college and did his M.Sc. PhD from the Institute of Science, Mumbai University. He joined as lecturer of Chemistry at the Institute and rose to the post of Professor of Chemistry. After doing research under the legacy of an eminent Professor, Dr B.C. Hardar, he established a strong School of Research in fields of Nuclear, Inorganic, Analytical, Solid State and Environmental Chemistry. He has guided 26 students for PhD and published over 150 papers of which 87 are foreign Journals with high impact factor and has high Citation Index. He has also published an article in the Encyclopedia of Analytical Science, published by Cambridge University. He has executed 17 Research Projects including one from IAEA, Vienna, Austria.
His research was of applied nature and the nuclear science and Analytical methods developed by him were significant contribution to fields of Chemistry, were used in pollution studies, mainly of aquatic eco system of Mumbai. His research team studied and reported many dreaded pollution issues. His research on toxic metal studies was pioneering and exposed dreaded pollution issues including Lead Pollution at Dadra Nagar Haveli, which further resulted in the introduction of unleaded petrol in India and contamination of fish and aquatic ecosystem of Mumbai, Industrial Pollution of Rivers.
As an Administrator, he made landmark contribution on Shikshan Shulk and Admission Committees of Professional Courses. He was a member of writing Private University Act, Law University Act, Amendments to Maharashtra University Act. As Pro VC and VC of Universities he worked, he brought out landmark changes and reforms in administration and development of infrastructures including establishments of New Centers during Sesquicentennial Year of University of Mumbai. While he was VC, the Govt of Rajasthan appointed him the Chairman of High-Level Committee for restructuring and Improvement of Higher Education.
He has been a recipient of awards from many organizations. He is engaged in transformations of Technologies for rural Development. Lead many academic delegations to overseas countries including an invitee to many International forums and conferences.
Currently he is Director, Waste to Energy Research and Technology Council, an India Chapter of Columbia University.
He is also the Vice President- National Society of Friends of Trees, President- Society for Clean Environment, Chief Trustee- The Institute of Science, Golden Jubilee Trust Fund and Advisor to many Institutions and Member of Authorities of many Universities.
