The Union Budget proposals to impose customs duty on imported animals and birds is set to raise operating costs for Vantara, the high-profile animal rescue and rehabilitation centre run by the family of Mukesh Ambani.
Imports of animals and birds will now attract a 30 percent customs duty, after the Union Budget withdrew the long-standing exemption for such consignments. The move is expected to affect Vantara more than any other zoo in India, as it imports animals from overseas on a scale unmatched by largely state-run facilities.
Located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the 3,500-acre Vantara centre is operated by the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries and houses around 2,000 species. Since 2022, it has imported animals including cheetahs, rhinoceroses and several reptiles from countries such as South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela,
The government has not explained the rationale behind removing the duty exemption. “Even globally benchmarked zoological and conservation projects, including facilities such as Vantara, will be impacted,” a lawyer pointed out. “While overall import volumes in this segment are limited, the effect on cost structures is significant.”
Vantara came into the public spotlight during the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani in 2024 and has since hosted several high-profile visitors, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Football star Lionel Messi toured the centre with Anant Ambani in December.
The organisation has consistently said it does not pay to acquire animals, maintaining that transfers are carried out solely for rescue, conservation and rehabilitation. However, it incurs costs related to insurance, logistics and freight, all of which will now face higher tax outgo.
“Although the tax aims to encourage domestic breeding and self-sufficiency, its application places a substantial financial burden on international rescue missions,” said Delhi-based lawyer.
Vantara has also faced scrutiny at the international level. Last year, the UN wildlife trade watchdog CITES flagged discrepancies in trade data and raised concerns about checks on the origin of certain animals linked to the centre. However, the Supreme Court later cleared Vantara of any wrongdoing. The organisation says it complies with all applicable laws, while European officials have said they continue to monitor animal exports to the facility.
Vantara’s animal shipments so far have had a declared value of $9 million (around ₹75 crore). One consignment of 26 rare parrots imported from Germany in 2023 was declared at $25,194 (about ₹21 lakh), covering insurance and freight. At the time, an import tax of $7,500 (around ₹6.2 lakh) was waived under the exemption regime.
With the exemption now withdrawn, such waivers will no longer apply, adding to the costs of one of India’s most prominent conservation projects.
