Investigation raises questions on zoo transfers of exotic animals to Reliance-run Vantara
New Delhi: A recent investigative report published in Himal Southasian magazine has highlighted the issue of exotic wildlife smuggling into India through the porous borders of the northeast region. The report, authored by M. Rajshekhar, reveals that while many consignments of trafficked wildlife have been intercepted by law enforcement agencies and relocated to zoos, a significant number have found their way to Vantara, an initiative by Reliance Industries aimed at the 'rescue' and sheltering of wildlife.
Situated within the premises of the Jamnagar petrochemical complex, Vantara gained media attention during the pre-wedding festivities of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in early March 2024.
According to the report, the dynamics of wildlife trade have evolved over time. While until 2018, most of the trade originated in India and was directed towards countries like Myanmar, China, and Vietnam, the trend has reversed. Presently, new supply chains are facilitating the influx of exotic species, including kangaroos, reptiles, birds, and primates from South-East Asia and Latin America into India.
Upon interception, the smuggled birds and animals are typically transferred to the nearest state-owned zoos in cities like Guwahati or Aizawl. However, a recent shift has been observed, as a significant number of these 'rescued' animals are subsequently relocated to Jamnagar from the zoos in Assam.
The report highlights the exponential growth of Vantara over the past four years, with a substantial collection of endangered species and a workforce of 2,700 individuals managing the facility. According to the Greens Zoological, Rescue, and Rehabilitation Centre's annual report for 2022–23, which collaborates with the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, Vantara houses 3,889 birds and animals representing 134 species.
Questions raised by the Himal report also pertain to the transfer of wildlife to Vantara from other zoos. For instance, the Sakkarbaug Zoo in Gujarat's Junagadh reportedly transferred 101 leopards to Jamnagar between March 2021 and March 2023, with unclear reasoning behind such a substantial transfer, as noted in the report.
In the fiscal year 2022–23, Greens documented a total of 160 transactions involving the receipt of wildlife. Some of the birds originated from state zoos located in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Nagaland.
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'Someone must be held accountable': HC converts civil suit on Goa nightclub tragedy into PIL
Panaji (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) saying "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy in which 25 people were killed.In a stern observation, Goa bench of the High Court of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ashish Chavan said the local panchayat had "failed to take suo motu cognisance" of the club and had taken "no action despite complaints."
The division bench directed the Goa government to file a detailed reply on the permissions granted to the nightclub.
The High Court, while fixing January 8 as the next date of hearing, pointed out that commercial operations were continuing in the structure despite it having been served a demolition order.
The original petition was filed after the December 6 tragedy by Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar, the owners of the land on which the nightclub was operating.
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Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, the lawyer representing the petitioner, was made amicus curiae in the matter and has been asked to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.
In their petition, Amonkar and Divkar highlighted "the alarming pattern of statutory violations that have remained inadequately addressed despite multiple complaints, inspections, show-cause notices, and even a demolition order".
They contended that these violations posed "immediate threats to public safety, ecological integrity, and the rule of law in the state of Goa."
Investigations by multiple agencies into the nightclub fire have revealed various irregularities, including lack of permissions to operate the nightclub.
The Goa police arrested five managers and staff members of the club, while co-owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra have been detained in Thailand after they fled the country.
