Vantara to Establish Elephant Rehabilitation Centre in Kolhapur Amid Jain Community Protests

Kolhapur, 6th August 2025: Animal welfare organisation Vantara announced on Wednesday morning that it plans to set up a dedicated rehabilitation centre for a 36-year-old elephant named Madhuri in the Nandani region of Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district. The elephant was recently moved to Vantara’s Jamnagar facility in Gujarat following a court directive.

The announcement comes amid widespread silent demonstrations by members of the Jain community in Kolhapur, who have opposed Madhuri’s relocation from the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan Mutt, commonly known as the Nandani Math, where she had lived for over 30 years.

Vantara, an independent rescue and rehabilitation initiative by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, clarified that it did not initiate or propose the relocation. The organisation stated it acted only in compliance with judicial directions, providing care, treatment, and housing for the elephant as part of its mandate.

“There was no intention to disrupt religious sentiments or traditions,” the organisation said, adding that it will work closely with both the Jain Matha and the Maharashtra Government to develop a satellite facility in Kolhapur.

The proposed rehabilitation centre will be established after consultations with a high-powered expert committee and in line with national and international guidelines on elephant welfare. The initiative will move forward after securing necessary permissions and identifying suitable land in coordination with the state government and the Jain religious establishment.

Planned features for the facility include a hydrotherapy pond for joint relief, a secondary water body for natural swimming, a laser therapy room, and a shelter for overnight protection. Madhuri will also have access to an open, chain-free habitat, a sand pit for enrichment, and a fully equipped veterinary unit for 24/7 care. Special flooring and resting mounds will be included to support recovery from foot-related ailments and arthritis.

Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, was shifted to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust in Jamnagar after the Bombay High Court, on 16th July, ordered her rehabilitation based on concerns raised by an NGO over her declining health and psychological well-being. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s decision on 25th July.

In response to public sentiment, thousands joined a silent protest in Kolhapur on 3rd August demanding her return. On 5th August, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis indicated that the state government, in collaboration with the Nandani Math, might file a review petition in the Supreme Court to facilitate the elephant’s return. Fadnavis also urged the Math to formally include the state government as a party in the case.