Modi Government Puts Asia’s Richest Man Mukesh Ambani in Trouble

India has imposed a 30% customs duty on the import of animals and birds in its latest budget, a move that could significantly increase operating costs for Vantara, the world’s largest private zoo and rescue center operated by the family of Mukesh Ambani.

Spread across 3,500 acres in Gujarat, Vantara houses approximately 2,000 species, including leopards, rhinoceroses, and various reptiles. Managed by the Reliance Foundation, the center has imported animals from countries such as South Africa, the UAE, and Venezuela since 2022.

The government’s decision to abolish the existing import exemption means that customs duties must now be paid in full. While the government did not provide a specific reason for the policy change, experts suggest the tax could place new financial pressure on international wildlife exchange and conservation programs.

Vantara has consistently maintained that its imports are for rescue, protection, and rehabilitation rather than commercial gain. Although the center—which famously hosted global stars like Lionel Messi last year—was recently cleared of legal violations by the High Court, this new fiscal policy presents a fresh logistical and financial challenge for the facility.