Supreme Court forms SIT to examine operations of Ambani’s Vantara Wildlife Centre

The centre, spread across 3,500 acres at Motikhavdi village, is financed by the Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries. Controversy has surrounded the project since the very beginning, particularly over allegations of unethical sourcing of wildlife.

South First Desk

Published Aug 25, 2025 | 10:45 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 25, 2025 | 10:46 PM

Supreme Court forms SIT to examine operations of Ambani’s Vantara Wildlife Centre

Vantara is described as the brainchild of Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Synopsis: The Supreme Court has constituted a SIT led by former judge Justice J Chelameswar to probe the functioning of the Vantara Wildlife Rescue Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The facility, financed by the Reliance Foundation, has faced allegations of fuelling illegal wildlife trade through the sourcing of exotic animals. The project has also drawn public protests, legal disputes, and criticism over animal transfers, though Vantara maintains that all activities comply with Indian laws and international permits.

The Supreme Court on Monday, 25 August, constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice J Chelameswar to inquire into the affairs of the Vantara Wildlife Rescue Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, LiveLaw reported.

The centre, spread across 3,500 acres at Motikhavdi village, is financed by the Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries. It is described as the brainchild of Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani.

The project was officially launched on 26 February 2024 and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 March 2025. But controversy has surrounded the project since the very beginning, particularly over allegations of unethical sourcing of wildlife.

The SIT has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report to be submitted to the court after examining:

Acquisition of animals, both from within India and overseas, with special focus on elephants.
Compliance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and rules governing zoos in India.
Adherence to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as import and export laws applicable to live animals.
Standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, mortalities, and welfare measures within the facility.
Complaints of breach of law in wildlife trade, including reports of smuggling and trafficking as highlighted in media stories, petitions, and independent complaints.
Allegations of financial irregularities, money laundering, and misuse of biodiversity resources.
Concerns regarding misutilisation of water and carbon credits tied to the centre’s operations.
Allegations relating to the location of the centre near an industrial zone, said to raise ecological and climatic concerns.
Whether the centre’s breeding and conservation programmes align with genuine scientific and ecological goals, or are instead motivated by the creation of a private collection.

Also read: Growing human-wildlife conflict calls for strict habitat management measures

Alleged irregularities

An investigation by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung alleged that Vantara’s demand for exotic animals may have “fuelled illegal wildlife trade,” citing large-scale imports from Venezuela and African countries.

Vantara has firmly denied the charge. It called the reports “baseless,” stating that “all wildlife acquisitions were either captive-bred or rescued, and supported by valid CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) permits.”

A fact-check report by AltNews found that several Indian publications took down or withheld articles critical of Vantara after receiving “threat mails.” The report noted continuing legal disputes surrounding critical coverage of the project.

Public anger has also grown over animal transfers to the facility. On 3 August 2025, Kolhapur witnessed a massive silent protest against the relocation of a 36-year-old elephant named Mahadevi, also known as Madhuri, to Vantara. Thousands of residents took part, urging authorities to bring the elephant back from the Jamnagar facility.

Vantara, in response, has maintained that the transfers comply with court directions and form part of its caregiving responsibilities. The organisation has consistently asserted that it functions within the framework of India’s wildlife laws.