New Delhi: A coalition of South African animal rights organisations has urged the country’s environment ministry to investigate the export of wild animals to the Reliance-owned Vantara animal rehabilitation centre in Gujarat.
The 3,000-acre facility, located in Jamnagar, was inaugurated earlier this month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA), a coalition of 30 organisations, has written to South African Environment Minister Dion George, highlighting concerns about the transfer of various wildlife species to Vantara.
According to WAPFSA, these concerns were raised within the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a global treaty regulating trade in endangered flora and fauna. The coalition noted that India's "potential non-compliance" was discussed at a CITES standing committee meeting in November 2023.
The facility has also faced criticism from animal rights groups over its location in a hot and arid region, which they argue may not be suitable for many of the species housed there. WAPFSA’s letter specifically questioned the export of leopards, cheetahs, tigers, and lions from South Africa to Vantara.
In July 2023, Vantara officials had informed the CITES secretariat that the centre had rescued animals from difficult conditions outside India and imported them from various countries. However, WAPFSA has rejected this explanation, citing concerns over the legality of the transactions and the methods used to obtain CITES documents.
The coalition also pointed out that a significant number of captive-bred animals in South African facilities could be traded for commercial purposes. It further alleged that lions and tigers may have been purchased from breeding centres in South Africa and warned that while their living conditions at Vantara may have improved, they could now be used for breeding and exploitation in animal nurseries outside the main zoo.
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Government has appointed retired IAS officer G V Krishna Rao, former Additional Chief Secretary, as the recovery commissioner to confiscate, forfeit and attach properties derived from illegal mining activities, a government order said.
This appointment is made under The Karnataka Appointment of Recovery Commissioners for Seizure and Confiscation of Property arising from Illegal Mining and Proceeds of Crime Act, 2025, it added.
According to a recent notification issued by the Commerce and Industries Department (Mines), the Act provides for the confiscation, forfeiture, and attachment of properties derived from illegal mining activities, organised crime, and criminal proceeds.
It empowers the State Government to appoint a Recovery Commissioner not below the rank of Additional Chief Secretary, either serving or retired.
In a related order issued recently, the Government fixed the pay and service terms of Krishna Rao. He will receive a monthly salary of Rs 2,95,256 that includes Rs 1,04,006 as basic pay, along with dearness and house rent allowances calculated on his last drawn pay of Rs 2,25,000.