Mr. Shyam Ghate
Member of HOPE- a Rotary project. Also a member of Rotary club of Thane West.

How did the idea of HOPE come up?
A. Thane always had a large number of keen nature lovers. These persons wanted to organise activities to spread nature education and awareness among the citizen especially children. President of Rotary Club of Thane, (1996-97) Rtn. Mohan Gupte offered financial support and a meeting place to these nature lovers for undertaking the various activities.

In July 1996 Here On Project Environment (HOPE) was launched under aegis of Rotary club in Thane and started functioning from Rotary's premises at Sahayog Mandir.

Who are the main founders of HOPE?
A gang of four, namely Dr. Arun Joshi, Anil Kunte, K. V. Kini and Rtn. Shyam Ghate under active guidance from Ulhas Rane and Dr. Shashi Menon of BNHS constituted the founding group of HOPE. They were soon joined by active and enthusiastic youngsters like Tejal Dhulla, John Manjali, Shriharsha Nitsure, Manish Nakhwa, Mankrand Joshi, Yuvraj Gurjar and veteran organisers like Mr. Hema Gupte.

Today HOPE boasts of many talented, qualified and knowledgeable nature lovers amongst its 250 members.

Tell us about activities / projects undertaken by HOPE?
HOPE has conducted over 125 programmes during the last four years including lectures, seminars, slide shows, film-shows, workshops, nature outings, visits to sanctuaries etc. Notable among the programmes have been the hosting of 17th Maharashtra Rajya Pakshi Mitra Sammelan and Nisarg Jatra of 1999, 2000 and 2001.

HOPE conceived and designed the Rituchakra Nature Park Project, which is now under creation by the TMC near Kalwa creek. HOPE is discussing two more projects with TMC.

HOPE has been conducting Nature Clubs in schools and has prepared an Environmental Education Syllabus for sixth and seventh standard students. HOPE also conducted workshop for training teachers about Environment Education, when Environment Education was made compulsory in schools.

How far has HOPE reached in its objectives?
HOPE has reasons enough to be satisfied though there is no place for complacency. So much more can be done and so much more can be achieved.

One of the constraints for HOPE to expand its activities has been the fact that all the active members do this works in their spare time. If HOPE can attract more retired persons to take charge of its programs, then the scope of work can be expanded many folds.

Where does Thane City stand as far as environment protection is concerned?
We need to show the same level of concern as citizens of Pune do.

Thane had been endowed with a very unique eco-system, with Yeoor Forest on one side and the mangrove rich Thane Creek on the other. However these were savaged by the explosive industrial and urban growth in Thane and surrounding regions, during last few decades.

However during the last few years' the number of NGO's and also civic machinery has taken up the cause of conservation of Thane's environment.

If the present tempo can be maintained, we can HOPE for greener days ahead.

What are the future plans of HOPE?
As mentioned earlier, HOPE has on two important proposals, one pertaining to creation of a constructed wetland for natural processing of sewage water and the other pertaining to creation of an aquatic ecology information center. We look up to all round support from Thane Citizens to make a success of these proposals.

Any Message for Thanieties?
HOPE and many other organisations have conducted many campaigns against the unnecessary use of plastic carry bags. But people don't seem to make any effort to change their habits. If people take the small trouble of carrying their own shopping bags and refuse the plastic bags, they would do their duty towards nature and the environment.

As told to Thaneweb.com