Vantara: A National Initiative for Animal Welfare launched by Reliance
Environment
5 min read
Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation have launched the 'Vantara' (Star of the Forest) programme to support animal welfare. The Vantara initiative, led by Anant Ambani, aims to rescue, treat, care for, and rehabilitate injured, abused, and endangered animals across India and other parts of the world.
Ambani has shared that some of the top zoological and medical experts from India and around the world have joined the Vantara mission. Additionally, the programme is receiving active collaborations and guidance from government bodies, research and educational institutions.
About Vantara
- Vantara aims to establish partnerships with the Zoo Authority of India and other relevant government organizations. This will help to improve over 150 zoos in India in terms of animal care infrastructure, training, and capacity building.
- The Vantara programme has rescued over 200 elephants and thousands of other animals, birds, reptiles from dangerous situations over the last few years.The programme has initiated efforts to rehabilitate key animal species such as rhinos, leopards, and crocodiles. Vantara has also participated in rescue missions in countries like Mexico and Venezuela.
- The Vantara programme has collaborated with international organizations such as the Venezuelan National Foundation of Zoos and established partnerships with reputed organizations worldwide such as the Smithsonian and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
- In India, the programme collaborates with the Assam State Zoo, Sardar Patel Zoological Park, National Zoological Park, Nagaland Zoological Park among others.
- Furthermore, the initiative involves collaborating with renowned international universities and organizations, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).
Conservation of animal welfare
Wildlife conservation involves the protection of wild species and their habitats with the aim of ensuring healthy wildlife populations and preserving or improving natural ecosystems.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the world's largest animal rights organization, with over 9 million members and supporters across the globe.
Animal welfare policy in India
Article 51 (G) is a constitutional provision in India that mandates every Indian citizen to protect and enhance the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. Additionally, it requires citizens to show empathy towards living creatures.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
An act to amend the law relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals, for the purpose of preventing the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.
Animal Welfare Board of India
The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory body that advises on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country. It was established in 1962 the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and was started under the leadership of the late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, a well-known humanitarian.
People For Animals
People For Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated to animal welfare in India. It was first founded in 1992 by Maneka Gandhi.
