The agreement brings Vantara on board to provide technical expertise for designing and planning the new zoo.
Published Dec 09, 2025 | 12:20 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 09, 2025 | 12:20 AM
Vantara to help Telangana set up international-standard zoo. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Under the MoU, Vantara will offer technical assistance in wildlife care and rehabilitation, guide the development of a night safari with top-tier safety protocols, and support the creation of a forest-based eco-theme park. The collaboration will also help shape a framework for developing the zoo under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model and assist in adopting modern enclosure designs, enhanced welfare standards, and visitor-friendly best practices.
Telangana’s plan to build a world-class zoo in the state’s proposed fourth urban cluster received a major boost with the government signing an MoU with Mukesh Ambani–owned Vantara Zoo.
The agreement brings Vantara on board to provide technical expertise for designing and planning the new zoo.
According to the press release, officials said “The partnership aims to replicate several successful models from Vantara, ensuring the upcoming facility meets global benchmarks.”
Under the MoU, Vantara will offer technical assistance in wildlife care and rehabilitation, guide the development of a night safari with top-tier safety protocols, and support the creation of a forest-based eco-theme park. The collaboration will also help shape a framework for developing the zoo under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model and assist in adopting modern enclosure designs, enhanced welfare standards, and visitor-friendly best practices.
Senior officials noted that this partnership positions Telangana to create one of Asia’s most unique and modern zoological parks, potentially setting a new benchmark for conservation-focused tourism in India.
Principal Secretary (Forests) Ahmad Nadeem, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. C. Suvarna, Forest Development Corporation MD Sunita Bhagwat, and other senior officials were present during the signing.
Vantara spread across 3,500 acres at Motikhavdi village, in Gujarat 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.
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.
Earlier this year, in August, Supreme Court 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.
However, Supreme Court, on 15 September, recognised that the SIT granted a clean chit to Vantara.
A Bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale remarked that the SIT’s report confirmed Vantara’s complete adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks.
“We’ve reviewed the report’s summary, which highlights thorough compliance with regulations. Stakeholders’ perspectives were considered, and authorities have expressed contentment with the adherence to standards,” the Bench noted.
