Vantara: Anant Ambani's vision for wildlife welfare, education and community empowerment

Anant Ambani shares his passion, vision, and dedication to wildlife conservation and education through Vantara.

Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, and Reliance Foundation founder and chairperson Nita Ambani, in an exclusive conversation with Network18, shared insights into the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, highlighting its transformative impact on animal welfare, local communities, and the broader vision for wildlife conservation through Vantara.

A divine calling for animal welfare

Anant Ambani spoke passionately about his calling for animal welfare, expressing a deep spiritual connection to the creatures. "Only a few people are working for animal welfare. I think I was the chosen one. And I was fortunate enough, that with God's blessings, I could do seva of animals," he said. According to Anant, every animal embodies divinity, and this centre is his way of giving back to society.

"In today's life, you can't see God. But I see God within every animal. So, it's my giving back to society," said Anant Ambani on his spiritual connection to animals.

Contribution to society

Opening up about his battles, Anant credited the animals at Vantara for aiding his healing process. "It also makes me feel like we're contributing back to society in some way," he added.

Vision for Vantara

Anant outlined an ambitious vision for Vantara, emphasising its role in the rescue, treatment, care, and rehabilitation of injured and endangered animals, with the ultimate goal of establishing it as the world's foremost Wildlife Institute.

"My vision is that at Vantara in Jamnagar, we would like to be the world's most advanced Wildlife Institute," the youngest scion of the Ambani family said.

Beyond the current accomplishments, he envisions the conservation of critically endangered species. The primary focus remains on the rehabilitation, rescue, preservation, and conservation of endangered species, and he expressed his firm stance against animal exploitation for entertainment.

Impact on local economy and lives

Vantara is not only a sanctuary for animals but also a catalyst for positive change in the local community. Ambani highlighted efforts to farm locally, source organic manure from 'gaushalas', and contribute to the economy by supporting over 12,000 individuals.

"We farm a lot of stuff locally... Everything is made in India, grown locally, as much as possible. And there's an economy of more than 12,000 people based on this," Anant Ambani said on the local impact.

Educational hub and not-for-profit initiative

Anant's vision extends to making Vantara an education hub. With over 200 rescued elephants and 150 rescued leopards, he said the centre aims to provide a source of learning for the public.

"This is going to be an education hub... People should come here as a source of learning," he said on the educational focus at Vantara.

Unlike zoos, Vantara is building a zoological garden without the cage concept, promoting a deeper understanding of animals within their natural habitat, he stressed. Anant emphasised that the facility operates as a complete not-for-profit organisation, aligning with its mission of ethical and sustainable wildlife conservation.

"Not a single elephant is caged or chained. The animals are kept here in their natural habitat. We are hoping to open to the public soon. And this is a complete not-for-profit organisation," Ambani said on the ethical approach to wildlife conservation at Vantara.

"We aim to build 150 zoos in the country. India should have the best zoos and rescue centres across the world," he said on the broader mission for wildlife conservation and education.

"I give about one to one and a half hours a day or maybe two to animals... It is my home," he said about his commitment and passion for the project.