Why Vantara is a global model for animal welfare

In an interview with Gulf News, Bharat Jagmohan Mehra shares insights from over 25 years of impactful humanitarian and strategic leadership. A visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mehra is the founder of Bharat Mehra Strategies, a trusted advisory firm guiding top corporates across India and the Middle East.

As chief advisor to Anant Ambani and consultant to Ajay Piramal, he operates at the highest levels of business strategy and influence. Beyond the boardroom, Mehra serves as Chairman of the Radha Meera Trust, championing social welfare, education, and community empowerment.

Vantara is a large-scale, holistic wildlife conservation and rehabilitation initiative led by Anant Ambani. Headquartered in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and spread across 3,000 acres, its mission is to rescue, treat, and provide long-term care for injured, abused, or endangered animals, both native and exotic. The inspiration comes from Anant’s lifelong passion for animal welfare and his belief in giving voiceless beings a second chance at life.

Vantara is not a zoo — it’s a non-commercial, conservation-driven initiative. There are no ticketed visitors or commercial animal displays. Our focus is entirely on rescue, medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation research. We’ve adopted global best practices from leading wildlife centres around the world. It’s designed as a recovery haven, not an exhibition facility.

We’ve provided care for 2,000 animals, including elephants, leopards, lions, tigers, various birds, and exotic species rescued from illegal trafficking or poor captivity abroad. Many arrived in critical condition, emaciated, abused or abandoned — and each is now treated with personalised care and respect.

Vantara has some of the most advanced veterinary and rehabilitation infrastructure in Asia, state-of-the-art hospitals, hydrotherapy pools for elephants, enrichment enclosures, stress-free transport systems, and species-specific habitats. We also use AI-based health monitoring and bio-acoustic labs, and we collaborate with global wildlife experts from Africa, Europe, and the US.

Ecological harmony is central to our mission. Vantara is built using green architecture and runs on solar energy, water recycling, and organic waste systems. We’ve restored over 100 acres of degraded land into thriving green zones, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem benefiting animals and the local environment.

We’ve reforested over 1,000 acres, creating jobs and helping Indians gain expertise in animal care and conservation. Vantara is building the kind of infrastructure that hasn’t existed in India, where people can upskill, share knowledge, and access resources to better support animals. Our work isn’t limited to what happens inside Vantara. We’re sharing our expertise with the wider animal care community, empowering them to serve better. For every animal we help within our gates, we’re reaching many more in the wild and in need.

Incredibly positive. The government has been very supportive, especially recognising the sincerity and scale of our work. We’ve welcomed visits from conservationists, forest officials, and international NGOs who’ve praised the ethical standards and transparency we maintain. Anant has always emphasised that Vantara is a non-profit, humanitarian mission — and that message has clearly resonated. It’s clear that Vantara is setting new benchmarks in animal welfare and conservation. It’s an honour to serve this cause and support Anant Ambani’s vision. The work has only just begun. Vantara is more than a project — it’s a legacy in the making, rooted in compassion, innovation, and a deep respect for all living beings.

— In association with Vantara