Vantara: Where Compassion Meets Conservation

From Goshalas to adopting strays, India has a sensitive population that does care for animals. However, in spite of various efforts, today there are over 35 million stray dogs and 5 million stray cattle, indicating that there is a lot more that could be done in this space. The stories of human-animal conflict, that either result in animal cruelty or fatal injuries to humans, are always making rounds in the form of viral videos on social media. It is an uphill battle for the authorities to manage these conflicts in a way that is just and humane to both parties. Furthermore, stray animals contribute to the challenge of maintaining public health. The trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic is still fresh for many of us. It has made us all aware of the risk animals can pose by being vectors of zoonotic diseases.

India is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. It is home to numerous endangered species, several of which are endemic to the region. These species are not only critical to the forest ecosystem, but they are also productive contributors to the economy of the country. These species are not only critical to the ecosystem (not only forest), but are also key indicator for a healthier country.

Animal welfare has not been a top priority for companies to allocate their CSR funds. In FY 2021-22, less than 1 per cent of the total CSR funds were directed towards this cause. Amid this, Vantara, an initiative by the Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, stands as a beacon of hope for welfare and conservation of animals, offering comprehensive care and rehabilitation to those in need, while charting enhanced pathways for CSR in India.

Vantara – Star of the Forest

Located amidst the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat, Vantara – aptly named “Star of the Forest” – is a testament to compassion, innovation, and dedication to animal welfare. Launched by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, this 3000-acre sanctuary is not just a refuge for injured, abused, and threatened animals; it is a pioneering effort in conservation and rehabilitation that aims to set new global standards.

Vantara was conceptualized under the passionate leadership of Shri Anant Ambani. It is an ambitious project that blends ethical values with modern scientific and technological advancements. Anant Ambani, who also leads Reliance’s renewable energy business, envisions Vantara as a leading edge conservation programme dedicated to protecting critically endangered species and
restoring vital habitats.

The grand animal conservation and rehabilitation centre consists of state-of-the-art healthcare facilities for animals with several in-house wildlife veterinarians and doctors, a research centre, and an academic institution. It also boasts an old-age facility and disability care facility for old and sick
animals.

“Ever since I was a child, I have seen my family being empathetic towards the plight of animals. They have always encouraged me to care for animals I find in distress,” said Anant Ambani, Director on the boards of RIL and Reliance Foundation, at the launch of Vantara, when asked about his inspiration for the project. “In fact, I had rescued and brought about 200 to 300 goats and several cows to my home in Mumbai many years ago,” he remarked.

In a press statement, Anant Ambani said, “What started as a passion for me at a very young age has become a mission now with Vantara and our brilliant and committed team. We are focused on protecting critically endangered species native to India. We also want to restore vital habitats and address urgent threats to species and establish Vantara as a leading-edge conservation programme.”

Vantara is focused on establishing a holistic centre for wildlife conservation by integrating advanced research and collaboration. Since its inception, the organisation has rescued and rehabilitated over 200 elephants, and thousands of other animals, reptiles, and birds including rhinos, leopards, and crocodiles. The organisation has also participated in international rescue operations in Mexico,
Venezuela, and other countries.

Ambani, praising the efforts of the Vantara team, says, “We are delighted that our efforts have been recognised in India and internationally. Some of India’s and the world’s top zoological and medical experts have joined our mission and we have been blessed to receive active collaborations
and guidance from government bodies, research institutions, and educational institutions.”

Elephant Centre at Vantara

Vantara’s Centre for Elephants is a major highlight of the conservation park. It is spread over 3000 acres with state-of-the-art shelters, scientifically designed day and night enclosures, hydrotherapy pools, water bodies, and a large elephant jacuzzi for treating arthritis in elephants. “Anything that is needed to care for the elephants, we provide it.  We have a specialised and trained staff of over 500 people including vets, nutritionists, naturalists, etc. And we also invite experts for visits if needed,” says Anant Ambani at the press conference.

The Centre has a 25,000 square feet Elephant hospital, one of the largest in the world, fully equipped with portable x-ray machines, laser machines for diverse treatments, a fully equipped pharmacy, a pathology for all diagnostic tests, an imported elephant restraining device for diagnosis, hydraulic pulleys and cranes, a hydraulic surgical
table , and a hyperbaric oxygen chamber for the elephants. The hospital carries out cataract and endoscopic guided surgeries (with a first of its kind specially designed endoscopy equipment) and is capable of executing any surgery necessary.

There are several giants that have benefited from this facility. The Vantara team recalled one of the elephants named Leelavati who was rescued from a circus. Having been stuck in a fire accident at the circus, Leelavati was suffering from infected burn injuries when she was rescued. At Vantara, she was treated with advanced techniques such as laser therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, thus helping her heal.

The team also recalled a rescued elephant named Monimola, who joined Vantara in 2023, in a severely weak and malnourished state. During her health checkup, it was discovered that she had a large stone in her urinary bladder. Since the stone was too big to remove through surgery, it was broken down using a laser lithotripsy technique, making Monimola the first elephant in the entire world to receive this treatment.

“We want to provide the best care to the animals with us. Sometimes we also consult with some human doctors that are passionate about animal welfare, from India and abroad for surgeries or other procedures,” remarked Ambani. The Elephant Centre at Vantara has a special kitchen of over 14000 square feet dedicated to preparing a curated diet for each elephant keeping in mind their most necessary physical needs including their oral health. The Centre also applies Ayurveda techniques to care for the elephants, from the application of hot oil massages to multani mitti, Ayurveda practitioners also work round the clock for the elephants.

“Our focus is on ensuring that we provide a complete ecosystem to the elephants we rescue. For example, in several cases, we have also rehabilitated the mahouts, who have a plethora of knowledge and experience in caring for elephants but were often forced to beg on streets as they were unable to afford to keep an elephant with them,” Anant Ambani has said.

Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre for other Wild Animals

Apart from elephants, Vantara has established a Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre for other wild animals over 650 acres. Here animals from distressed and dangerous environments from India and all over the world are rescued and housed in state-of-the-art large enclosures and shelters.

With a staff strength of about 2100+, the rescue and rehabilitation Centre has rescued about 200 leopards from all over India which have suffered injuries in road accidents or human-animal conflicts. It has rescued over 1000 crocodiles from a severely overcrowded and congested facility in Tamil Nadu. It has also rescued animals from hunting lodges in Africa, animals under threat of euthanasia in Slovakia, and severely distressed animals from facilities in Mexico.

The Centre has a 1 lakh square foot hospital & medical research centre. The hospital and research centre possess the most advanced technology with an ICU, MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, dental scaler, lithotripsy, dialysis, OR1 technology that enables live videoconferences for surgeries, and a blood plasma separator.

Vantara team recalled a case of a female marsh crocodile named Kavita, while describing the services the hospital provides for animals. Due to poor husbandry practices at her previous facility, Kavita had developed a severe infection in her upper jaw, rendering her unable to eat. When she was rescued by the Greens Zoological Rescue
and Rehabilitation Centre, she was provided with surgery to fit her with a 3D printed prosthetic jaw. Under close observation and isolation, Kavita healed remarkably well.

Over 2000+ animals across 43 species are under the care of the Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre.

For about seven endangered species of Indian as well as foreign animals, the Centre has started conservation breeding programs with the objective of having a viable reserve population to repopulate the populations of endangered species in their native habitats to save them from extinction.

Anant Ambani emphasized in a statement, “Vantara aims to partner with the Zoo Authority of India and other relevant government organisations in improving all the 150-plus zoos in India in terms of training, capacity building and animal care infrastructure. We hope Vantara becomes a beacon of hope globally and can showcase how a forward thinking institution can help the global biodiversity
conservation initiatives.”

Vantara has adopted a visionary approach to animal welfare and conservation, thus standing as a testament to how passion for a cause and personal investment can transform a CSR initiative into a self-sustaining institution. With its commitment to protecting and rehabilitating animals, Vantara not only provides a new lease of life to numerous beings but also inspires us to strive for a more compassionate and sustainable world. As we continue to support initiatives like Vantara, we pave the way for a brighter future where humans and animals thrive together in harmony.