The Supreme Court on Monday took on record the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that has given a clean chit to Vantara, the zoological rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, and cautioned against attempts to malign its image.
A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and P B Varale said, “Vantara is in strict compliance with laws; do not tarnish it,” after opening the SIT report. The apex court noted that authorities were satisfied with the compliance and regulatory measures adopted by the centre. A detailed order is expected later in the day after the judges examine the report in full.
The four-member SIT, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, was constituted on 25 August to probe allegations of irregularities in the acquisition of animals at Vantara. Two public interest litigations, citing media reports, social media posts and complaints from NGOs and wildlife organisations, had sought judicial scrutiny of the centre. The SIT was tasked with a fact-finding inquiry into claims of non-compliance with Indian and international laws, with elephants forming the core of the allegations.
The apex court had earlier described one such plea as “completely vague”. On 14 August, petitioner C R Jaya Sukin had urged the court to set up a monitoring committee to return elephants in Vantara to their owners, contending that “one by one, temple elephants are being taken away”. Rejecting the claim, the court said, “If the acquisition of elephants is done according to law and all provisions are followed, there is no issue. General statements like this cannot be entertained.”
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Recent controversies around Vantara include allegations of unlawful acquisition of animals, especially elephants, birds, and endangered species, from India and abroad. Petitioner Sukin claimed temple elephants were “forcibly taken from temples and their owners,” and accused Vantara of operating under vague, unspecific charges.
Critics also raised concerns about Vantara being a “vanity project,” its location near industrial zones, and opaque sourcing of animals while NGOs sought clarity on documentation and ethics of transfers.
The SIT, after examining the matter, concluded that the centre was in full compliance with existing laws, thereby allaying concerns raised by petitioners.
Spread over 3,000 acres in the Green Belt of Reliance’s refinery complex in Jamnagar, Vantara is the brainchild of Anant Ambani, director on the boards of Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation. The facility features a Centre for Elephants equipped with scientifically designed enclosures, hydrotherapy pools, water bodies and a large jacuzzi designed to provide relief to elephants suffering from arthritis.
A separate 650-acre rescue and rehabilitation centre has been developed for other wild animals rescued from circuses, cramped zoos or distressed environments in India and abroad. These animals are housed in expansive, specially designed enclosures that replicate natural habitats, with advanced veterinary facilities for their care.
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