'Priority is Well-Being of Traumatised Animals': Anant Ambani Explains Concept Behind Vantara

The Vantara initiative, the first-of-its-kind in India, has been conceptualised and birthed under the passionate leadership of Anant Ambani, director on the boards of RIL and Reliance Foundation. (File image/PTI)

Driven by passion for animals, Anant Ambani — director on the boards of Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation — plans to build India’s first university to train veterinary doctors in wildlife care.

Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation on Monday announced the launch of their Vantara programme, an umbrella initiative to focus on the rescue, treatment, care and rehabilitation of injured, abused and threatened animals, both in India and abroad.

The project, conceived by Anant, is considered the largest animal rescue and rehabilitation centre globally.

Anant believes that his mother, Nita Ambani, has been an enduring inspiration for him. Her lifelong commitment to animal welfare has profoundly influenced his compassion for all living beings.

“She ingrained in me the importance of compassion and affection towards animals since my early years. In her youth, she nurtured 30 rescued stray dogs,” he said in a press conference during the launch of the Vantara programme.

University Soon

Pushing for awareness and empathy towards wildlife, Anant is planning to establish a university for wildlife veterinarians in India.

“We have been seeing a lot of people coming to us who are young veterinary doctors and we are already training them. In the next three to four years, we will have a full-fledged university for wildlife veterinary,” Anant said.

He also intends to initiate capacity-building efforts for all 150 zoos in India, to transform each of them into world-class facilities. Anant envisions India leading the way in setting standards for zoos, with the rest of the world following suit.

Situated within the ‘Green Belt’ of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex, the Vantara animal shelter spans 3,000 acres, providing a jungle-like environment that closely resembles the natural, lush habitat for the rescued species to flourish. With over 2,000 rescued animals, the facility has welcomed creatures from various regions across the country and around the world.

When questioned about the possibility of opening these rescue centers to the general public, Anant expressed his desire to do so but emphasised that specific timelines can only be determined once all the animals are settled.

“Our priority is the well-being of traumatised animals, and we will prioritise their needs before opening to the public. However, our upcoming zoological park, dedicated to wildlife education and pro-rescue efforts, will soon welcome visitors,” he said. “It will be a non-profit venture, focused on the conservation of endangered species.”

‘My mother a constant source of inspiration’

Anant said his mother has been a constant source of inspiration for him and her lifelong dedication to caring for animals deeply shaped his values of compassion towards all creatures.

“Moreover, her father shared her passion for rescued animals. He used to take me, as a young child, to the slaughterhouse to rescue animals like chickens, goats, and cows, sometimes even rescuing 200 to 300 goats at a time. Throughout it all, my mom has been a tremendous support.”

‘Building Vantara A Way to Serve God’

Anant, who calls himself a deeply religious person, believes that by helping animals, humans accumulate good deeds. In a way, he said, his passion behind establishing the rescue centre is a way to serve God.

“I’m religious, and by helping animals, we accumulate good deeds. Ram had Jatayu, Krishna had elephants, Mata Rani rode on a lion, and Hanuman Ji himself was in the avatar of a monkey.”

“Additionally, Ganesh Ji represents an elephant. I draw inspiration from our gods. Animals are God’s creation. While we may not see God directly, I believe that by serving these animals, I am serving God.”