Vantara Jamnagar Offers to Build Three Wildlife Rescue Centres in Assam; Assam Government Examines Proposal

Vantara Jamnagar has offered to establish three wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres in Assam, including a dedicated facility for Asian elephants, in a proposal submitted to the Assam Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department.

The proposal, made by Vantara Foundation, was formally communicated to the Assam government in a letter dated August 12. According to the proposal, the three centres would be developed at Vantara’s own cost and would operate under the guidance and supervision of the Assam Forest Department. The facilities would eventually be handed over to the state government without financial or other encumbrances.

Assam’s Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah has confirmed that the state government received the proposal and said officials are currently examining it. He also welcomed the initiative, saying that the state would continue to work with institutions and organisations whose resources and expertise could support wildlife conservation and habitat protection.

The proposal comes at a significant time for Assam, a state known for its rich biodiversity, elephant habitats, one-horned rhinoceros population and several other endangered and threatened species. It also arrives amid continuing discussions and controversy surrounding wildlife conservation, protected areas and the balance between environmental protection and the interests of communities living around national parks and forests.

Vantara Jamnagar Proposes Three Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centres

In its August 12 letter to the Assam Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, Vantara said it wanted to contribute to Assam’s wildlife conservation efforts by supporting the state in strengthening facilities for rescued and injured animals.

The letter was signed by Vantara Chief Executive Officer Vivaan Karani on behalf of Vantara founder Anant Ambani. It highlighted Assam’s ecological importance and acknowledged the conservation work carried out by the state government and the Assam Forest Department.

Vantara said the proposed centres would be designed to address the needs of rescued wildlife and provide appropriate care, treatment and rehabilitation facilities.

One of the three proposed centres would be dedicated exclusively to Asian elephants. This is particularly significant for Assam, which has one of the most important wild elephant populations in India. Human-elephant conflict, habitat pressure, injuries and other threats have made elephant rescue and rehabilitation an important part of wildlife management in the state.

The other two centres would cater to wildlife requiring rescue, medical treatment, rehabilitation and specialised care. The precise location, size and design of all three facilities would be decided in consultation with the Assam Forest Department.

What Facilities Will the Proposed Centres Have?

The proposal from Vantara Jamnagar includes a range of specialised facilities intended to provide comprehensive care for rescued animals.

According to the proposal, the centres would include species-specific animal housing areas, an advanced veterinary hospital, diagnostic laboratories and animal nutrition facilities.

Species-specific housing is important because different animals have very different requirements in terms of diet, space, temperature, medical care and rehabilitation. A facility designed around those requirements can provide more appropriate conditions for animals recovering from injuries, illness or trauma.

The proposed veterinary hospital would provide medical treatment for rescued animals, while diagnostic laboratories could assist veterinarians in identifying diseases, infections and other health problems. Nutrition centres would be responsible for ensuring that animals receive diets appropriate to their species and medical condition.

The proposal does not specify final locations for the three centres. Instead, Vantara has said that their locations, scale and configuration would be determined in consultation with the Assam Forest Department.

This means that the state government would have an important role in deciding where the facilities should be established and how they should be designed to complement Assam’s existing wildlife rescue and conservation infrastructure.

Elephant Rescue Centre Could Become a Major Component

The proposal for a separate centre dedicated to Asian elephants is one of its most notable elements.

Assam is home to large populations of wild Asian elephants and has several landscapes where elephants move between forests, protected areas and human settlements. Injured, orphaned or distressed elephants sometimes require specialised veterinary attention and long-term rehabilitation.

A dedicated elephant facility could potentially provide specialised housing, veterinary care, nutrition and rehabilitation support specifically designed for the needs of elephants.

The need for such infrastructure is particularly relevant because elephants are large, highly intelligent and socially complex animals. Their treatment and rehabilitation require significantly different infrastructure from that used for smaller wildlife species.

If the Assam government approves the proposal, the Forest Department and Vantara would need to determine the centre’s exact purpose, location, operational framework and relationship with existing elephant rescue facilities in the state.

Assam Government Says It Is Examining the Proposal

Assam Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah confirmed on August 12 that the state Forest Department had received the proposal from Vantara Foundation.

According to the minister, the proposal involves establishing three wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres in Assam at Vantara’s own cost.

The government has not yet announced a final decision on whether the proposal will be accepted or when any construction could begin. The proposal is currently under examination by the relevant authorities.

Mallabaruah also expressed appreciation for the initiative and said Assam would continue engaging with organisations and institutions capable of complementing the government’s efforts to protect wildlife and strengthen natural habitats.

The government’s examination is expected to involve consideration of several aspects, including the proposed locations, management structure, technical requirements, environmental permissions and the way the new facilities would integrate with Assam’s existing wildlife conservation system.

Proposal Comes Amid Debate Over Kaziranga Eco-Sensitive Zone

The Vantara proposal comes at a time when Assam’s wildlife conservation policies are attracting significant attention.

The state government has decided to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone, or ESZ, around Kaziranga National Park from 10 kilometres to one kilometre.

Kaziranga is among India’s most important protected areas and is internationally recognised for its population of the endangered greater one-horned rhinoceros. The park also provides habitat for elephants, tigers, wild buffalo, swamp deer and numerous other species.

Eco-Sensitive Zones are intended to act as a buffer around protected areas. Certain activities, including some forms of construction and infrastructure development, are regulated within these zones.

The proposed reduction would therefore alter the area around Kaziranga where such restrictions apply.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has defended the decision, arguing that maintaining a 10-kilometre ESZ would affect thousands of residents in places such as Bokakhat, Kaliabor and other towns located around Kaziranga.

The issue has generated debate between conservation concerns and the needs of people living around protected areas. Supporters of the reduction argue that restrictions must take into account established settlements and local livelihoods, while conservationists have raised concerns about development pressure around ecologically sensitive landscapes.

Kaziranga Development Debate Adds to Conservation Concerns

The ESZ decision is also taking place alongside protests over development projects near Kaziranga National Park.

Local activists and community members have protested against the construction of a luxury hotel close to the national park. Protesters have raised concerns about land, development and the impact of commercial projects on the surrounding environment.

Among those involved in the protests was activist Pranab Doley. He was arrested on July 12 in connection with the protests, according to the material provided for this report, and the state government subsequently invoked the National Security Act against him.

The wider debate reflects one of the most difficult challenges facing wildlife-rich states such as Assam: how to protect important habitats while also addressing the needs and rights of people living around protected areas.

Against this backdrop, the proposal to create new wildlife rescue and rehabilitation infrastructure has added another dimension to the ongoing conversation about conservation in Assam.

Assam Has Become an Important Centre for Wildlife Rescue and Trafficking Concerns

Assam has enormous wildlife wealth, but its geographical location also makes the region vulnerable to wildlife trafficking.

The state shares borders and has transport connections with areas through which illegally trafficked wildlife can move. Assam has previously been described as a transit route for wildlife trafficking networks operating from neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, towards other parts of India.

The issue has involved both native and exotic species.

In June, the Assam Forest Department arrested 11 alleged traffickers in connection with the illegal transportation of seven endangered golden langurs. The case highlighted continuing concerns over the movement of protected wildlife through the region.

Such incidents underline the importance of effective rescue, veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and enforcement systems.

When trafficked animals are recovered, authorities may need specialised facilities where the animals can be medically examined, treated and kept safely while officials determine the appropriate course of action.

This is one area where additional rescue and rehabilitation centres could potentially strengthen Assam’s wildlife management capacity.

Earlier Elephant Transfer to Vantara Raised Questions

The relationship between Assam’s rescued wildlife and Vantara Jamnagar has previously attracted public attention.

In May 2024, a 55-year-old elephant and its calf were transferred from Manas National Park in Assam to Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The transfer generated questions from wildlife activists and others who questioned why the injured elephant needed to travel more than 3,000 kilometres away from Assam for treatment.

The case became part of a wider debate over whether rescued animals should receive treatment close to their original habitat or be moved to specialised facilities elsewhere in India when necessary.

The latest proposal from Vantara represents a different approach. Instead of transporting animals from Assam to Gujarat, the proposed centres would create additional wildlife rescue and rehabilitation infrastructure within Assam itself.

However, the proposal would still have to be assessed by the state authorities before any decision is made.

Earlier Questions Were Also Raised Over Transfers From Assam

Vantara’s involvement with rescued wildlife from Assam has been discussed previously.

In 2022, a citizens’ collective in Guwahati called for an investigation into the transfer of exotic and other rescued animals from the Assam State Zoo to Vantara.

The concerns were part of broader discussions about the movement of rescued animals between states and the role of large private or privately supported wildlife facilities in India.

Such transfers can involve complicated questions, including veterinary requirements, legal permissions, quarantine arrangements, animal welfare, transportation conditions and the long-term rehabilitation needs of individual animals.

For that reason, every proposed transfer or treatment arrangement generally requires scrutiny by the relevant wildlife authorities.

Vantara Has Faced Allegations Over Wildlife Trade

Vantara itself has faced allegations and criticism relating to its role in the acquisition and care of rescued wildlife.

Some reports have raised concerns that international demand for rescued animals could potentially contribute to illegal wildlife trade. Vantara has rejected such allegations, describing them as baseless and misleading.

The organisation has maintained that its work is focused on animal rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and conservation.

These allegations and responses have remained part of the public debate surrounding the facility and its growing role in wildlife rescue.

However, a major development came in September 2025 when the Supreme Court considered allegations relating to Vantara.

Supreme Court Findings on Vantara

In September 2025, the Supreme Court held that Vantara had not committed any wrongdoing, based on the findings of the Special Investigation Team, or SIT, constituted to examine allegations concerning its operations.

The investigation had considered claims involving alleged illegal wildlife smuggling, irregularities relating to import permits and financial impropriety, among other allegations.

According to the information provided, the Supreme Court said the SIT report found no illegalities in Vantara’s operations or functioning and concluded that the allegations were baseless.

At the same time, the SIT report itself was not made public by the Supreme Court. This has meant that while the court’s findings provided an important legal development in the matter, the contents of the underlying report have not been available for public examination in full.

The distinction is important when discussing the allegations: claims that were raised against Vantara should not be presented as established wrongdoing when the Supreme Court found, on the basis of the SIT report, that Vantara had not committed the alleged illegalities.

What the Assam Proposal Could Mean for Wildlife Conservation

If approved and implemented, the proposal could add significant rescue and rehabilitation capacity to Assam’s wildlife infrastructure.

The proposed centres could help provide treatment for injured animals, specialised care for rescued wildlife and facilities for animals requiring rehabilitation before authorities determine whether they can return to the wild.

The dedicated Asian elephant centre could also provide a specialised base for dealing with elephant-related emergencies.

At the same time, the success of such facilities would depend on how they are integrated into Assam’s existing conservation system. The Forest Department would remain central to decisions concerning rescued wildlife, habitat management and rehabilitation.

The proposal specifically states that the centres would function under the guidance and supervision of the Assam Forest Department and would ultimately be handed over to the state government without encumbrances.

That arrangement could give the state a substantial role in ensuring that the facilities remain aligned with Assam’s conservation priorities.

No Final Approval Yet

For now, the proposal remains under consideration.

The Assam government has acknowledged receiving Vantara Foundation’s offer, but there has been no final announcement confirming approval, construction timelines or locations for the three proposed centres.

Any future development is likely to depend on consultations between Vantara and the Assam Forest Department, including decisions about land, design, animal capacity, veterinary infrastructure, staffing and long-term management.

The proposal therefore marks the beginning of a possible new collaboration rather than the completion of a confirmed project.

Vantara Jamnagar and Assam’s Wildlife Conservation Future

The offer from Vantara Jamnagar comes at a time when Assam is facing several interconnected wildlife conservation challenges, from animal rescue and trafficking to habitat protection and human-wildlife conflict.

Assam’s forests and national parks support some of India’s most valuable wildlife populations. Protecting those animals requires not only protected habitats but also strong rescue networks, veterinary infrastructure and trained personnel capable of responding when animals are injured, orphaned or recovered from illegal trade.

The proposed three centres could potentially strengthen that system if the Assam government determines that the facilities meet the state’s requirements.

The elephant-focused centre is particularly notable given Assam’s importance as an Asian elephant habitat. A dedicated facility could provide the specialised infrastructure needed for animals requiring long-term care.

At the same time, the proposal will be considered against the wider conservation framework in Assam, including the management of protected areas such as Kaziranga and Manas, the regulation of development around wildlife habitats and the protection of communities living close to forests.

For now, the Assam government’s position is that the proposal is being examined. Whether the three centres eventually become a reality will depend on the outcome of that review and the subsequent decisions of the state authorities.

If approved, the initiative could become an important example of collaboration between a state wildlife department and a large specialised animal rescue organisation. More importantly, its long-term value will ultimately be measured by how effectively the proposed infrastructure contributes to the rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of Assam’s wildlife while supporting the protection of animals in their natural habitats.