Jamnagar, Feb 27: Anant Ambani’s Vantara has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Prani Mitra’ National Award, India’s highest honour in animal welfare, by the Government of India under the 'Corporate' category. The award recognizes the exceptional contributions of Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), an organization under Vantara dedicated to the rescue, treatment, and lifelong care of elephants.
At the core of this recognition is Vantara’s state-of-the-art Elephant Care Centre, which provides a chain-free, secure, and enriching environment for over 240 rescued elephants. This includes 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 treatment and compassionate care. Designed to support both physical and psychological well-being, the centre allows elephants to roam freely, socialize, and engage in natural behaviours across 998 acres of specially created forest, where they can forage, take mud and dust baths, and bathe in natural ponds.
The award was presented by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Government of India, at a ceremony today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Vivaan Karani, CEO of Vantara, acknowledged the honour, stating, "This award is a tribute to the countless individuals who have devoted their lives to protecting and caring for India’s animals. At Vantara, serving animals is not just a duty—it is our dharma and seva, a commitment deeply rooted in compassion and responsibility. We remain relentless in our mission to elevate welfare standards, drive impactful initiatives, and safeguard India’s rich biodiversity for generations to come."
The Prani Mitra Award in the Corporate category is given to corporations, PSUs, government bodies, and cooperatives for their continuous contribution to animal welfare over the past five years, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding dedicated to animal welfare initiatives.
