India’s apex court, the Supreme Court has given a clean chit to Vantara, the Gujarat based animal rescue and rehabilitation centre. The SC bench referred to the report filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and emphasised that the Team has expressed satisfaction on the issue of compliance and regulatory measures at Vantara.
“Vantara is in strict compliance with laws; do not tarnish it,” the SC bench said after opening the SIT report, according to a legal website which was reporting live today on the issue.
A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and P B Varale took the report on record and observed that the SIT had expressed satisfaction on the issue of compliance and regulatory measures in Vantara. The report was submitted on Friday and the top court perused it on Monday.
The top court constituted the SIT on August 25 to conduct a fact-finding inquiry again Vantara, located in Jamnagar, in view of allegations of non-compliance with laws and acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants.
The top court constituted the four-member SIT headed by a former apex court judge while hearing two PILs alleging irregularities against Vantara on the basis of reports in the media and social media and diverse complaints from NGOs and wildlife organisations.
On August 14, the top court described as “completely vague” the plea filed by petitioner C R Jaya Sukin seeking to get a monitoring committee formed to return the captive elephants in Vantara to their owners.
Sukin had claimed that “one by one, temple elephants are being taken away”. The SC responded: “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.”
Vantara is the brainchild of Anant Ambani, Director on the boards of RIL and Reliance Foundation and is spread over 3,000 acres within the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat. It houses a Centre for Elephants with state-of-the-art shelters, scientifically designed day-and-night enclosures, hydrotherapy pools, water bodies and a large elephant jacuzzi for treating arthritis in elephants.
For other wild animals that have been deployed in circuses or congested zoos, a 650-acre Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre has been created, where animals from distressed and dangerous environments from India and all over the world are rescued and housed in state-of-the-art large enclosures and shelters.
Team Vantara has welcomed the SC verdict. “With utmost humility and gratitude, we welcome the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The SIT’s report and the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order have made it clear that the doubts and allegations raised against Vantara’s animal welfare mission were without any basis. The validation of the truth by the distinguished and widely respected members of the SIT is not just a relief for everyone at Vantara but also a blessing, because it allows our work to speak for itself,” the team said. In an official reaction the Vantara team said,”the SIT’s findings and the Apex Court’s order give us further strength and encouragement to continue serving with humility and devotion to those who cannot speak for themselves. The entire Vantara family expresses heartfelt gratitude for this affirmation and reassures every one of our lifelong commitment to protecting and caring for animals and birds with compassion.
“Vantara has always been about love, compassion, and responsibility towards the voiceless among us. Every animal we rescue, every bird we heal, every life we save is a reminder that their well-being is not separate from our own — it is an inseparable part of the well-being of all humanity. When we care for animals, we are also caring for the soul of humanity”, they said adding “we take this occasion to pledge our solidarity with the Government of India, State Governments, and all other stakeholders involved in the huge and challenging task of animal care, and affirm that that Vantara will always be ready to work in close collaboration with them. Let’s together make Mother Earth a better place for all living beings.”
Also Read: Vantara And Gujarat Forest Department Join Hands To Enrich Wildlife Diversity In Barda Sanctuaryhttps://www.vibesofindia.com/vantara-and-gujarat-forest-department-join-hands-to-enrich-wildlife-diversity-in-barda-sanctuary/
