India’s Wildlife Deserves More Than Just One Vantara!
Vantara by Anant Ambani: A Remarkable Initiative, but Why Can’t India Do the Same?
This is a criticism post against the Prime Minister of India Hon’ble Narendra Modi ji!
VANTARA is a slap to all the Governments and parties in power in India since independence, we as a Nation was not able to build such a facility for our Animals over a 75 years of period, our head should hang in shame. For a Prime Minister to visit a private facility and promote it, speak about it instead of questioning self. Why? Why India a country of 1.5 billion people, probably the largest population of the world, 7th largest country in area does not have a piece of land dedicated for Animal Rehabilitation and Welfare. When did India have to look to a private person to feel great about the country. We really commend Anant Ambani for this great and noble initiative he had taken up but at the same time we condemn Modi ji(we support and respect him for his policies) for not being able to have something like this from the Government. He is in power since 25+ years yet he missed this and we don’t see any such initiatives in the near future.
Some incidents shared by Modi ji, but we question Why Vantara? Why not Government of India? Is Indian Forest Service outsourced to Vantara? This is a slap to #IndianForestService and IFS Officers who in the 75 years of their existence as institutions could not build something like #Vantara. What a shame!
At Vantara, I saw an elephant which was the victim of an acid attack. The elephant was being treated with utmost care. There were other elephants too, which were blinded and that too ironically by their Mahout. Another elephant was hit by a speeding truck.
A lioness was hit by a vehicle with severe spinal injuries. She was getting proper care.
A leopard cub abandoned by her family got a new lease of life, with proper nutritional care.
The recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Vantara, the ambitious animal rehabilitation project spearheaded by Anant Ambani, has sparked nationwide interest. The PM’s presence at the facility and the viral images of him interacting with animals have brought well-deserved attention to this noble initiative. While we commend Anant Ambani for his dedication to wildlife conservation, this raises a critical question—why does India, as a country, lack similar large-scale rehabilitation centers? Shouldn’t such projects be a priority for the government rather than relying on private efforts?
What Makes Vantara Stand Out?
Vantara, established by the Reliance Foundation at Jamnagar, Gujarat, is not just a typical animal rehabilitation center; it is a sanctuary equipped with world-class facilities to care for, heal, and rehabilitate a wide range of animals. Some of its standout features include:
• State-of-the-art Veterinary Care: Modern medical facilities with specialized treatments for injured and abandoned animals.
• Spacious Habitats: Unlike cramped and often neglected government-run centers, Vantara provides vast, naturalistic enclosures that ensure the well-being of the animals.
• Expert Caretakers: Teams of veterinarians, zoologists, and conservationists dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of animals.
• Diverse Wildlife Support: The facility houses elephants, lions, leopards, and numerous other species, including those rescued from circuses, captivity, and conflict zones.
• Advanced Nutrition & Well-being Programs: Scientifically designed diets and enrichment activities for animals to lead a healthy and stress-free life.
How Does Government Animal Rehabilitation Compare?
While India does have animal rescue centers and government-run zoological parks, they are nowhere close to the scale or quality of Vantara. Here’s a look at what exists:
• Underfunded Wildlife Rescue Centers: Many government-run rescue facilities suffer from chronic underfunding, leading to inadequate medical care and poor living conditions.
• Bureaucratic Red Tape: Conservation efforts are often hampered by slow decision-making, inefficient resource allocation, and corruption.
• Lack of Expertise & Resources: Most rehabilitation centers do not have skilled professionals, modern medical equipment, or the financial backing needed for large-scale rehabilitation.
• Overcrowded & Poorly Maintained Facilities: Due to space constraints, rescued animals often live in subpar conditions, which defeats the purpose of rehabilitation.
• No Large-Scale Government Initiative: Despite being home to incredible biodiversity, India has no nationwide program for large-scale animal rehabilitation.
Why Has India Failed to Build Large-Scale Animal Rehabilitation Centers?
1. Lack of Political Will & Prioritization
The Indian government has historically allocated substantial resources to infrastructure, defense, and industrial development, but wildlife conservation remains low on the priority list. While projects like Project Tiger and the Asiatic Lion Conservation Program exist, they focus on species protection rather than holistic rehabilitation.
2. Limited Budget for Wildlife Protection
The annual budget for India’s environment and wildlife conservation is significantly lower compared to the scale of the problem. While private entities like Reliance can afford to invest millions into projects like Vantara, government allocations are often minimal.
3. Absence of Public-Private Partnerships
Rather than encouraging industrialists and private entities to collaborate with the government on large-scale rehabilitation centers, the government has left such efforts entirely to NGOs and private initiatives. A structured public-private partnership (PPP) model could have helped scale up similar projects across the country.
4. Bureaucracy & Inefficiency
Even when funds are allocated, they are often mismanaged or lost in bureaucratic delays. Projects take years to materialize, and by the time they do, they lack the necessary resources to function effectively.
5. Focus on Zoos Instead of Rehabilitation Centers
The government has historically focused on zoos rather than large rehabilitation centers. While zoos serve an educational purpose, they are not designed to rescue, treat, and rehabilitate animals. A shift in policy is needed to prioritize rehabilitation over captivity.
Why Did PM Modi Have to Visit a Private Facility Like Vantara?
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Vantara was widely publicized, but it also highlights a fundamental flaw in India’s conservation efforts. If India had government-run rehabilitation centers of the same caliber, the PM could have promoted a national initiative instead of a private one. His visit, while appreciated, indirectly acknowledges the government’s inability to establish similar centers.
Shouldn’t India Have At Least 150 Such Centers?
Given India’s size, biodiversity, and wildlife conservation needs, every state should have at least five major rehabilitation centers, amounting to a national total of at least 150 such facilities. This would ensure:
• Proper care and rehabilitation for injured, abandoned, and rescued animals.
• Conservation of endangered species.
• Strengthening India’s position as a global leader in wildlife protection.
What Needs to Change?
1. A National Policy for Wildlife Rehabilitation: The government must launch a structured program, similar to Project Tiger, dedicated to creating world-class rehabilitation centers.
2. Increased Budget Allocation: Significant financial resources should be allocated to conservation efforts.
3. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborating with industrialists, NGOs, and conservationists can help scale up efforts.
4. Efficient Resource Management: Reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and ensuring proper use of funds.
5. Mandatory Rehabilitation Centers in Every State: Wildlife departments in each state must be responsible for establishing at least five major centers.
While Vantara by Anant Ambani is an exemplary initiative that deserves appreciation, it also exposes the government’s failure to establish large-scale rehabilitation centers for animals in India. If India truly aspires to be a global leader in conservation, it must take inspiration from Vantara and implement similar projects nationwide. Otherwise, we risk leaving the fate of our wildlife solely in the hands of private initiatives, which, despite their goodwill, cannot replace a structured, government-backed effort.
The Prime Minister’s visit should be a wake-up call, not a celebration. India must act now before it is too late.
