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Anant Ambani‘s Visionary Philanthropy: The Vandara Project and its Global Impact
Even if there are crores of money pouring in, it takes a broad mind to donate it to charity. There is a need for charity to embrace and support those who are seeking asylum due to incapacity. We should heartily appreciate that Anant Ambani, the son of Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in India, has such a charitable mindset.
Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation have jointly launched a project called Vantara. The objective of the Vandara program is to bring abused, injured and helpless animals from India and abroad and provide them with the necessary care and treatment.
The Vandara project is being implemented on an area spread over 3,000 acres in the green belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar crude oil refinery complex in Gujarat. Vandara’s mission is to be one of the leading contributors to security efforts worldwide. It is staffed by leading experts in animal care and welfare.
Spread over an area of 3000 acres, the refinery complex looks almost like a forest. This has provided a natural, green habitat for the rescued animals to thrive.
The Vandara project, a first of its kind in India, was developed under the dedicated leadership of Anant Ambani, Director of Reliance Industries and Reliance Trust.
Anant Ambani also heads Reliance’s renewable energy business in Jamnagar. In that capacity, he is responsible for leading Reliance’s journey to become a net carbon zero company by 2035.
Vandara focuses on creating best-in-class animal care and care practices, including state-of-the-art healthcare, hospitals, research and education centers.
Within its programs, Vandara also focuses on coordinating advanced research and collaboration with renowned international universities and organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for nature.
Over the past few years, this program has rescued more than 200 elephants, thousands of other animals, reptiles and birds from unsafe situations. Works to protect important species including rhinoceros, leopard, crocodile rehabilitation.
Recently, Vandara has been involved in rescuing animals from countries like Mexico and Venezuela. A Central American zoo responded to the authorities’ request and rescued several large animals.
All such rescue and rehabilitation operations are monitored under a strict legal and regulatory framework both in India and internationally.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Anant Ambani said, “Something that started as a passion of mine at a young age is now being implemented by Vandara.
It has become a feat with a brilliant, dedicated team. We focus on conservation of endangered species native to India. We want to establish Vandara as a leading conservation program to restore critical habitats and address urgent threats to species.
We are happy that our efforts have been recognized in India and internationally. Some of the best zoologists in India and the world have joined our work. Also, the active cooperation of government organizations, research and educational institutions helps us to get guidance.
Vandara aims to partner with the Zoo Authority of India and other relevant government agencies in developing over 150 zoos in India in terms of training, capacity building and animal care infrastructure.
Vandara will become a global beacon of hope. We also hope to proactively show how a forward-thinking organization can contribute to global biodiversity conservation initiatives.
Anand Ambani on the motivation behind establishing Vandara said, “Vandara is a blend of the age-old ethical value of compassion with the excellence of modern science and technology. I see Jiva Seva as a service to humanity as well.”
He said that Vandara has an elephant center and care facilities for many large species like lions, tigers, crocodiles and leopards. The state-of-the-art elephant accommodation at Vandara has scientifically designed day and night shelters, hydrotherapy pools, and a large elephant jacuzzi to treat elephant arthritis.
More than 200 elephants are cared for by a specialized and trained staff of more than 500 people, including veterinarians, biologists, pathologists, nutritionists and naturalists.
The center houses the largest elephant hospital in the world at 25,000 square feet. It has x-ray machines for taking out and examining animals, laser machines for various treatments, dispensary and all diagnostic testing facilities.
For diagnosis, there are special facilities like hydraulic pulleys, cranes, hydraulic surgery facility, hyperbaric oxygen chamber for elephants, cataract, endoscopic surgery.
The center has a specialty kitchen of over 14,000 square feet. It is specially formulated to prepare a curated diet for each elephant keeping in mind their most essential physical needs, including their oral health.
Ayurvedic treatments are also given to elephants here. Multani clams and hot oil massages are offered. Ayurvedic therapists are on hand to care for the elephants 24 hours a day.
A rehabilitation center for other wild animals has been set up in the complex covering an area of 600 acres.
State-of-the-art spacious cages have been set up to house animals rescued from abused and dangerous environments in India and around the world.
With over 2100 employees, this rescue and rehabilitation center has rescued around 200 leopards from all over India who were injured in road accidents or human-wildlife conflicts. It has rescued more than 1000 crocodiles in Tamil Nadu that were in trouble.
It has also rescued animals threatened by poaching in Africa, animals threatened by euthanasia in Slovakia, and animals severely affected by wildlife in Mexico.
The center has a 1 lakh square feet hospital and medical research center. The hospital and research center has advanced technology like ICU, MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, dental scaler, lithotripsy, dialysis, OR1 technology.
More than 2000 animals of 43 species are under the care of this centre. For about 7 endangered species of Indian and foreign fauna, feasible strategies are followed to increase the population of endangered species and reintroduce them to their native habitats.
Today, Vandara Ecosystem has given new life and hope to 200 elephants, more than 300 animals like leopard, tiger, lion, jaguar, more than 300 herbivores like deer, and more than 1200 reptiles like crocodiles, turtles, snakes.
All rescued animals have been brought to Vandara after obtaining prior approval from the Chief Wildlife Wardens of the respective states and the Central Zoo Authority as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Zoo Rules, 2009.
The Vandara project has achieved tremendous success by working with international organizations such as the Venezuelan National Foundation of Zoos and by interacting with renowned institutions around the world such as the Smithsonian and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
In India, it collaborates with National Zoological Park, Assam State Zoo, Nagaland Zoological Park, Sardar Patel Zoological Park etc.
Vanda has partnered with several educational institutions to increase awareness of animal welfare issues among people, especially youth and children.
Vandara Project strongly believes that rescuing and protecting animals should go hand in hand with initiatives to green the earth. Also thousands of acres of land has already been greened in Reliance refinery areas.
Led by Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairman, Reliance Foundation has been working tirelessly for overall well-being and improved quality of life for all, focusing on rural transformation, education, health, sports for development, disaster management, women’s empowerment and urban renewal.
Reliance Trust has touched the lives of over 72 million people in 55,400 villages and urban areas across India. We have to thank Anant Ambani for all this.
