The Vantara Foundation has submitted a proposal to the Assam Forest Department to establish three Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centres in the state at its own expense, including a specialised centre dedicated to the conservation and care of Asian elephants, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said on World Elephant Day. The offer, made by the foundation founded by Anant Ambani, is currently under government review.
According to the proposal, all three centres would operate under the supervision of the Assam Forest Department. One centre would be exclusively focused on Asian elephants and would house a veterinary hospital, diagnostic facilities, specialised enclosures, and medical and nutritional centres, along with other species-specific care infrastructure.
The centres are intended to support rescue, rehabilitation and overall welfare of wild animals. Their final locations and configurations will be decided in consultation with the Assam Forest Department, the proposal states, ensuring alignment with existing conservation priorities and regulatory oversight.
Mallabaruah said the state government is examining the proposal and expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting the commitment of Anant Ambani and the Vantara Foundation to wildlife conservation. “Assam will continue to engage with like-minded partners and institutions whose expertise and resources can complement our efforts to protect wildlife and strengthen their natural habitats,” the minister said.
The proposal arrives amid ongoing challenges in Assam related to human-wildlife conflict and the protection of the state’s rich biodiversity. Elephants, highlighted as one of the most important yet vulnerable species in the region, could benefit from dedicated rescue and medical facilities aimed at reducing conflict and improving long-term welfare.
If approved and implemented, the centres would bolster Assam’s capacity for emergency response, veterinary care and rehabilitation for affected wildlife, while working under state supervision to integrate with broader conservation and habitat-protection efforts.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/vantara-proposes-three-wildlife-rescue-centres-in-assam-including-dedicated-elephant-facility-1437115-2026-08-13?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-08-13 08:30:00
