Vantara Affirms Full Cooperation with Supreme Court-Appointed SIT for Comprehensive Animal Welfare Inquiry

Vantara, the ambitious wildlife rescue and rehabilitation project spearheaded by Reliance Industries, has unequivocally announced its commitment to collaborate fully with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) recently constituted by the Supreme Court of India. This significant declaration follows the apex court's directive for a thorough fact-finding inquiry into the animal welfare standards and operational protocols at Vantara’s expansive facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The Supreme Court's order, issued on June 19, 2024, was a direct response to a public interest litigation filed by Rajya Sabha MP Smt.

Priyanka Chaturvedi. The petitioner had raised pertinent questions regarding the legality and ethical considerations surrounding the transfer of both exotic and native animals to Vantara, expressing concerns about their health and overall welfare once at the facility. This legal scrutiny underscores the critical importance of transparency and adherence to established wildlife protection norms in such large-scale initiatives.

In its comprehensive directive, the Supreme Court mandated the formation of a high-level SIT to meticulously verify the facts presented.

This esteemed panel is composed of leading experts from the field: the Director of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Member Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), and a Joint Director from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The SIT's mandate is multi-faceted, encompassing an assessment of whether Vantara possesses all requisite permissions for its operations, if animal transfers were conducted in strict accordance with prevailing laws and CITES guidelines, and to conduct an on-site inspection of the facility to ascertain the well-being, health, and rehabilitation standards of the animals under its care.

The SIT is expected to furnish its detailed report within a three-month timeframe.

In response to the judicial directive, Vantara issued a clear statement reiterating its unwavering commitment to upholding all legal and regulatory frameworks governing wildlife conservation and rehabilitation in India and internationally.

The organization emphasized that its operations are conducted with the utmost regard for animal welfare, supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and a team of highly qualified veterinary professionals, nutritionists, and animal husbandry experts. Vantara highlighted its dedication to providing scientific and compassionate care for injured, abused, and endangered animals, aiming for their successful rehabilitation and contribution to broader conservation efforts.

Vantara further affirmed that all animal transfers to its facility are executed only after securing necessary approvals and permissions from respective state forest departments and central agencies, meticulously adhering to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The facility itself operates under the strict oversight and approvals granted by the Central Zoo Authority and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, underscoring its legitimate operational framework. This proactive stance from Vantara signals its readiness to engage constructively with the SIT, providing all necessary documentation and access to its facilities to demonstrate its ethical commitments and legal compliance.

The outcome of this inquiry will undoubtedly contribute to setting benchmarks for animal welfare and conservation practices within large private initiatives across the nation.