Reliance launches Vantara, an animal rescue and conservation centre, in Gujarat

Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, started an Animal Rescue, Care, Conservation and Rehabilitation programme, named Vantara within the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat.

The centre, expands over 3,000 acres, aims to focus on the rescue, treatment, care and rehabilitation of animals that have been ill-treated, endangered or injured, in India as well as abroad. The facility provides shelter to 50-60 endangered species of rescued animals, according to media reports. A dedicated team of 3,000 people are taking proper care of the animals.

“The hospital has MRI & CT scan machines, endoscopic robotic surgery machines and six surgical centres. We also put prosthetics for the animals at the hospital here,” Anant Ambani said.

He said he got inspired from his mother to start such an initiative. “In the Hindu religion, it is said that animals are dear to the gods. This also inspired me to open this animal rescue and rehabilitation centre.”

Listing that a 600-acre area has been established as a natural habitat for elephants, he mentioned that they have already rescued 200 elephant.

“We started the wildlife rescue center building in the peak of Covid. We have created a jungle of 600 acres. We created an entire habitat for the elephants and in 2008, we rescued our first elephant.”

“What you have seen is 8-10 per cent of my vision. My vision is that in Jamnagar, we would like to be the world’s most advanced wildlife institute, and we would also like to conserve and breed critically endangered species and release them back into their habitat,” he added.