New Delhi, November 4 (Udaipur Kiran) — The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has lauded Gujarat’s Vanatara Project and its affiliated entities — the Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) and the Radhakrishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) — for setting new standards in wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
The recognition follows closely after the Supreme Court of India also gave a clean chit to Vanatara, affirming the legality and transparency of its operations.
In its latest assessment report, CITES praised GZRRC and RKTEWT for maintaining exceptionally high standards of animal care, including modern enclosures, advanced medical facilities, and professional veterinary support. It noted that both institutions have achieved remarkable progress in animal rescue and rehabilitation, and recommended that their expertise be shared globally for knowledge exchange in conservation practices.
The report stated that India’s wildlife protection and regulatory mechanisms are fully aligned with global standards, with Vanatara emerging as a model initiative in ethical wildlife management. CITES confirmed that all animal imports undertaken by GZRRC and RKTEWT were fully legal and transparent, carried out under valid export or re-export permits, and compliant with national and international regulations.
Importantly, the report found no evidence of commercial trade or sale of animals by either institution. It also acknowledged Vanatara’s ethical decision to cancel a proposed chimpanzee import from Cameroon after detecting inconsistencies in the source documentation — a move that reflected its strong commitment to integrity and animal welfare.
CITES concluded that Vanatara, GZRRC, and RKTEWT are setting a global benchmark in rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation efforts, reaffirming India’s leadership in responsible wildlife protection.
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