Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation on Monday unveiled their ground-breaking Vantara (Star of the Forest) initiative, signalling a major step forward in animal welfare and conservation efforts. The programme aims to rescue, treat, care for, and rehabilitate injured, abused, and endangered animals, both domestically and internationally.
Spanning an impressive 3,000 acres within the Green Belt of Reliance's Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat, India, Vantara emerges as a significant player in global conservation endeavours. Through collaboration with leading experts in animal care and welfare, Vantara has transformed this expansive space into a jungle-like habitat, mirroring the natural environments crucial for the thriving of rescued species.
Led by Anant Ambani, director of RIL and Reliance Foundation, Vantara represents the first initiative of its kind in India. Ambani, known for his passionate commitment to environmental sustainability, is also at the helm of Reliance’s ambitious renewable energy business in Jamnagar, working towards the company's goal of achieving Net Carbon Zero status by 2035.
Central to Vantara's mission is the establishment of best-in-class animal conservation practices, including cutting-edge healthcare facilities, research centers, and academic institutions. The programme prioritises collaboration with esteemed international bodies such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) to integrate advanced research and knowledge-sharing.
Over the years, Vantara has successfully rescued over 200 elephants and thousands of other animals, reptiles, and birds from precarious situations. Notably, the initiative has spearheaded rehabilitation efforts for key species like rhinos, leopards, and crocodiles, both domestically and abroad.
Recent international missions in countries like Mexico and Venezuela highlight Vantara's commitment to global animal welfare. The programme adheres rigorously to legal and regulatory frameworks in India and across borders, ensuring responsible rescue and rehabilitation practices.
Anant Ambani expressed his dedication to Vantara's mission, said the importance of protecting critically endangered species and restoring vital habitats. He underscored Vantara's role as a beacon of hope in global biodiversity conservation initiatives, citing collaborations with top zoological and medical experts and governmental bodies.
Vantara seeks to collaborate with the Zoo Authority of India and other relevant governmental organisations to enhance animal care infrastructure across India's 150-plus zoos. Ambani envisions Vantara as a testament to the fusion of compassion and scientific excellence, serving both the divine and humanity through its commitment to Jeev Seva (animal care).
The centerpiece of Vantara's efforts is its Elephant Center, equipped with state-of-the-art shelters, hydrotherapy pools, and a specialised hospital spanning 25,000 square feet. This facility, staffed by over 500 trained professionals, provides round-the-clock care for over 200 elephants, utilising advanced medical equipment and ayurvedic techniques to ensure their well-being.
Additionally, Vantara's Rescue and Rehabilitation Center spans over 650 acres within the premises, offering sanctuary to wild animals from distressing environments worldwide. These animals are housed in spacious, modern enclosures, embodying Vantara's commitment to providing a safe haven for creatures in need.
In summary, the launch of Vantara marks a significant milestone in global animal conservation efforts, demonstrating Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation's unwavering dedication to protecting and preserving Earth's precious wildlife.
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 man-wild conflicts. It has rescued over 1,000 crocodiles from a severely overcrowded and congested facility in Tamil Nadu. It has rescued animals from hunting lodges in Africa, animals under threat of euthanasia in Slovakia, 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 scalar, lithotripsy, dialysis, OR1 technology that enables live videoconferences for surgeries and blood plasma separator.
Over 2000+ animals across 43 species are under the care of the Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre. For about 7 endangered species of Indian as well as foreign animals the Centre has started conservation breeding programmes 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.
The Vantara programme has gained tremendously by working together with international organisations like Venezuelan National Foundation of Zoos and by associating with reputed organisations worldwide like the Smithsonian and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In India, it collaborates with the National Zoological Park, Assam State Zoo, Nagaland Zoological Park, Sardar Patel Zoological Park etc.
In order to increase awareness of conservation issues among people particularly the youth and children, the Vantara initiative envisages close collaboration with educational institutions, including knowledge and resource exchange. It also envisages creation of a display area for some of the animals in modern and futuristic, climate controlled enclosures setting new standards in compassion and care.