Vantara, a wildlife rescue and conservation initiative led by Anant Ambani, has joined forces with Project Elephant, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to launch a significant elephant welfare program. The collaboration aims to improve elephant care standards in India by hosting the 'Vantara Gajsevak Sammelan,' the country's largest training program for elephant caregivers.
The five-day national event, held at Vantara's advanced facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, has brought together over 100 mahouts and elephant caregivers from across India for intensive, hands-on training. Participants will receive certification upon successful completion of the program. The Sammelan seeks to elevate care standards, improve professional capacity, and build a stronger, more compassionate framework for elephants under human care by combining traditional wisdom with modern science.
Vivaan Karani, CEO of Vantara, emphasized that the Sammelan is more than just a training program; it is a tribute to those who dedicate their lives to elephant care. The goal is to unite traditional knowledge with modern science to build a stronger, more compassionate foundation for elephant well-being, reaffirming that the future of elephant conservation in India depends not only on policy or habitat but also on the empowered hands and hearts of their caregivers.
The program commenced with a ceremonial welcome and Maha Aarti at the Radhe Krishna Temple, setting a spiritually rich tone for the days to follow. Participants are divided into rotating groups and engaged in hands-on training in Vantara's specialized elephant zones, including Gajwan, Gajraj Nagari, and Ganesh Nagari. There, they receive in-depth instruction in daily care routines, foot care, bathing protocols, musth management, Ayurvedic therapies, and positive reinforcement techniques.
In addition to practical fieldwork, the Sammelan includes scientific classroom sessions led by veterinarians and conservation experts. Topics range from elephant biology and behavioral stress indicators to common ailments and emergency response for recumbent elephants. The program also emphasizes caregiver well-being and encourages cross-regional collaboration through reflection sessions, fostering a national community centered around advanced elephant welfare.
Vantara, managed by the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, is home to over 250 rescued elephants, cared for by a team of more than 500 staff, many of whom were once in distressed or marginalized situations. The elephants have formed natural herds in chain-free enclosures spanning 2,500 acres. Vantara provides a special kitchen of over 14,000 square feet dedicated to preparing a curated diet for each elephant, keeping in mind their physical needs. The center also applies Ayurveda techniques, from hot oil massages to multani mitti, and has Ayurveda practitioners working around the clock for the elephants. The facility also has a 100,000 square foot hospital and medical research center with advanced technology.
This Sammelan is part of Vantara's broader commitment to raising global standards in animal welfare. Vantara is also hosting a series of key national and international events, including an ongoing training program for wildlife officers from Congo, a National Veterinary Training on Conservation Medicine in August, and the National Zoo Directors' Conference in October.
Vantara, which translates to "Star of the Forest," was launched on February 26, 2024, by Anant Ambani and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 4, 2025. The initiative aims to rescue, treat, care for, and rehabilitate injured, abused, and threatened animals both in India and abroad. Vantara aims to partner with the Zoo Authority of India and other relevant government organizations to improve the 150-plus zoos in India in terms of training, capacity building, and animal care infrastructure. The center is spread over 3,000 acres within the green belt of Reliance's Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat.