Now Reading: Assam to examine Vantara’s wildlife rescue centre plan
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Assam to examine Vantara’s wildlife rescue centre plan
The Assam government will assess the feasibility of Vantara's proposal to set up three wild animal rescue and rehabilitation centres in the state, including one dedicated solely to Asian elephants. Chief Minister…
The Story in Brief
The Assam government will assess the feasibility of Vantara's proposal to set up three wild animal rescue and rehabilitation centres in the state, including one dedicated solely to Asian elephants. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said initiatives strengthening wildlife care merit consideration. The Reliance Foundation project, offered under state forest department supervision, would be handed over free of encumbrances.
Vantara, founded by Anant Ambani, already houses over 260 Asian elephants. The proposal comes as Assam faces severe human-elephant conflict: over 1,400 people and 1,209 elephants died between 2000 and 2023, according to the Wildlife Institute of India. The state's own plans for pet care hospitals, announced in 2025, have seen limited updates past their deadline.
The Indian Opinion
Wildlife rescue plans from a corporate foundation sound noble, but Assam's delayed pet care hospitals remind us that execution matters more than announcements. The government should judge Vantara's offer on transparency, timelines, and whether centres actually reduce human-elephant deaths, not just treat injured animals. The real test will be whether these facilities come with habitat protection, or remain costly Band-Aids.
Sources (2): assamtribune.com, assamtribune.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
