The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
JAMNAGAR (GUJARAT), FEBRUARY 27, 2025
Vantara, founded by Anant Ambani, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Prani Mitra’ National Award — India’s highest recognition in animal welfare — under the Corporate category. Conferred by the Government of India, the award acknowledges the exceptional contributions of the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), a Vantara initiative dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing lifelong care for elephants.
At the heart of this recognition is Vantara’s state-of-the-art Elephant Care Centre, which offers a chain-free, secure, and enriching environment for over 240 rescued elephants. These include 30 elephants from circuses, more than 100 from the logging industry, and others rescued from exploitative practices such as rides and street begging. Many have endured years of neglect and mistreatment, but at Vantara, they receive world-class veterinary care and compassionate rehabilitation. Spread across 998 acres of specially designed forest, the centre allows elephants to roam freely, socialize, forage, and engage in natural behaviors such as mud and dust bathing.
The award was presented on Thursday at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Government of India.
Vivaan Karani, CEO of Vantara, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “This award is a tribute to the countless individuals dedicated to protecting India’s animals. At Vantara, animal welfare is not just a duty—it is our dharma and seva, rooted in compassion and responsibility. We remain committed to setting new standards, driving impactful initiatives, and preserving India’s rich biodiversity for future generations.”
The Prani Mitra Award in the Corporate category is awarded to corporations, PSUs, government bodies, and cooperatives that have consistently contributed to animal welfare for at least five years, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives supporting the cause.
Vantara’s Elephant Care Centre houses the world’s largest elephant hospital, integrating advanced veterinary science with alternative treatments like Ayurveda for chronic ailments and acupuncture for pain management. The facility includes a hydrotherapy pond with high-pressure water jets for arthritis treatment, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber for accelerated wound healing, and a specialized foot-care unit with pedicure experts. It is also equipped with a hydraulically operated surgical platform and lifting equipment to ensure stress-free procedures, along with the longest-ever customized endoscope for advanced diagnostics. Additionally, the centre features one of the world’s largest chain-free musth enclosures for the safe management of bulls during their musth period.
To ensure safe and stress-free transportation for rescued elephants, Vantara operates the largest fleet of elephant ambulances, consisting of 75 custom-engineered vehicles equipped with hydraulic lifts, rubber mat flooring, water troughs, showers, and caretaker cabins. Through these pioneering efforts, Vantara is setting global benchmarks in ethical elephant management, veterinary excellence, and lifelong care, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare and protection of India’s wildlife.
