Executive Summary:
This document responds to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3676 regarding the private zoo "Vantara" in Gujarat, answering questions about permissions, compliance with environmental laws, and animal welfare. The response references the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, and details the roles of the Central Zoo Authority and Chief Wild Life Wardens in granting approvals and recognition to zoos. It provides information on private zoos approved or recognized in the last decade. The response was issued on August 11, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Regulatory Framework:
* The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 provides the regulatory framework for establishing and operating zoos.
* The Central Zoo Authority evaluates zoos for recognition.
Specific Approvals:
* Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat is a recognized zoo.
* Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust has prior approval under section 38H1A of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, for its elephant camp and animal care center.
Private Zoo Details (Past 10 Years):
* Prior approval for establishment under Sec 38 H 1A of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 was granted to:
* Turtle, Terrapin and Tortoise Rescue Centre (Andhra Pradesh)
* Avian Reptile Rehabilitation Centre (Karnataka)
* Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (Gujarat)
* Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (Uttar Pradesh)
* Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (Gujarat) is recognized under subsections 1, 3, and 4 of 38H of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
Impact Analysis:
Central Zoo Authority:
* Impact: Responsible for evaluating zoos and granting recognition according to the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
* Action Required: Continue conducting evaluations and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Chief Wild Life Warden, Gujarat:
* Impact: Responsible for recognizing elephant camps and animal care centers.
* Action Required: Ensure compliance with the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
Private Zoo Owners/Operators:
* Impact: Subject to the regulations and approval processes outlined in the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
* Action Required: Adhere to all regulations, obtain necessary approvals, and maintain standards for animal welfare and environmental protection.
Key Entities Referenced
VANTARA: A private zoo in Gujarat for which permissions are being inquired about.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environment and forest related matters.
Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: Indian legislation providing a regulatory framework for the establishment of zoos and acquisition of animals.
Central Zoo Authority: An organization that conducts evaluation of zoos while granting recognition in India.
Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre: A recognized zoo in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust: An elephant camp and animal care center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, accorded prior approval by the Central Zoo Authority.
Jamnagar, Gujarat: Location of Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre and Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust.
Turtle, Terrapin and SPSR Nellore Tortoise Rescue Centre District TTTRC: Private ownership zoo for which prior approval for establishment accorded under section 38H 1A of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 in Andhra Pradesh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3676
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
Licence to Private Zoo named VANTARA
3676. KM. SUDHA R:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has given all necessary and mandatory permissions for a
private zoo called Vantara in Gujarat, if so, the details thereof along with the date and
name of officers granted such permission;
(b) the details of provision of Environment and Forest Laws under which said permission
has been granted by the Government along with the list of permissions given to animals
imported from different countries and transferred from States and kept at the said zoo;
(c) the details of other private zoos permitted over a decade by the Government, State-
wise;
(d) the number of animals kept at Vantara Zoo, including Schedule-1 animals, species-
wise and country/place of origin-wise;
(e) whether the Government has inspected the living conditions of these animals and
conducted any study on their impact on the environment; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, whether the Government proposes to conduct such
study?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (f) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides a regulatory framework for
establishment of zoos and acquisition of animals by the recognized zoos. The
Central Zoo Authority conducts evaluation of zoos while granting recognition. As
informed by the Central Zoo Authority there is a recognized zoo, namely Greens
Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Further, an
elephant camp and animal care centre at Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare
Trust, recognized by the Chief Wild Life Warden, Gujarat, has been accorded prior
approval by the Central Zoo Authority under section 38-H(1-A) of the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972.
The details of zoo with private ownership that have been accorded prior approval
for establishment under Sec 38 H (1-A) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
and the zoo with private ownership that has been recognized by the Central Zoo
Authority, under the Act is at Annexure.
*****Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (f) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred
Question No. 3676 due for reply on 11.08.2025 regarding “Licence to private Zoo
named Vantara”
Details of zoos with private ownership for which prior approval for establishment
accorded under section 38-H (1-A) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 during last 10
years
S. No. State/UT Establishment Name Location
Turtle, Terrapin and
SPSR Nellore
1 Andhra Pradesh Tortoise Rescue Centre
District
(TTTRC)
Avian & Reptile
2 Karnataka Bengaluru
Rehabilitation Centre
Rescue Centre, Radhe
3 Gujarat Krishna Temple Elephant Jamnagar
Welfare Trust
Elephant Conservation and
4 Uttar Pradesh Mathura
Care Centre
Detail of private zoo recognized under sub-section (1), (3) and (4) of 38-H of the
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 during last 10 years
S. No. State/UT Establishment Name Location
Greens Zoological Rescue
1 Gujarat Jamnagar
and Rehabilitation Centre
*****