Vantara Gajsevak Sammelan has marked a historic milestone in elephant care in India. This five-day national-level training program is being held in Jamnagar, Gujarat, bringing together over 100 mahouts and elephant caregivers from across the country. Organized by Vantara, the visionary wildlife rescue and conservation initiative founded by Anant Ambani, the event is a joint effort with Project Elephant, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The objective of this Sammelan is not just to provide technical training, but to honour the lifelong dedication of gajsevaks who serve India’s gentle giants with love and compassion. It aims to elevate the standards of elephant welfare by combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific practices.
A Grand Spiritual Opening
The Sammelan began on a spiritually uplifting note with a ceremonial welcome and Maha Aarti at the Radhe Krishna Temple in Jamnagar. This set the tone for a journey that is both spiritually enriching and professionally empowering.
“This is not just a training event—it is a tribute to the selfless gajsevaks who devote their lives to elephant care,” said Vivaan Karani, CEO of Vantara.
“Our mission is to bring together age-old wisdom and cutting-edge science to create a compassionate and advanced ecosystem for elephant welfare in India. The real strength of conservation lies not only in policies or habitats, but also in the trained hands and devoted hearts of caregivers.”
Training at a World-Class Facility
The Vantara Gajsevak Sammelan is being held at Vantara’s state-of-the-art elephant care campus, managed by the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, a non-profit foundation. Participants are immersed in a hands-on, rotation-based training that offers deep insights into all aspects of elephant husbandry.
They are grouped and assigned to specific zones like Gajwan, Gajraj Nagari, and Ganesh Nagari, where they learn key daily care practices—such as foot care, bathing protocols, nutrition, musth (aggression phase) management, and traditional Ayurvedic healing methods. This on-ground experience helps build practical understanding and skill development.
Science Meets Tradition
Beyond field training, expert-led scientific sessions are a core part of the Sammelan. Topics include elephant biology, behaviour, stress recognition, common diseases, and emergency responses for downed elephants. These sessions offer participants valuable insights into the science of elephant care.
Another vital part of the program focuses on the occupational health and safety of the caregivers themselves. It recognizes their well-being as essential to sustainable elephant welfare. Mental health, physical safety, and long-term support are all part of the curriculum.
A National Platform for Shared Wisdom
More than just a training camp, the Vantara Gajsevak Sammelan is a national platform for dialogue, learning, and experience-sharing. Structured discussion sessions allow mahouts and caregivers from diverse regions to share best practices, discuss challenges, and explore solutions collaboratively.
This exchange of knowledge fosters a stronger, unified community of elephant caregivers across India—one that respects cultural traditions while embracing scientific innovations.
Also read: Vantara Gajsevak Sammelan: हाथी सेवकों और महावतों के लिए देश का सबसे बड़ा प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम
About Vantara
Vantara is home to more than 250 rescued elephants, many of whom were once suffering, neglected, or kept in unsuitable conditions. Today, these elephants are cared for by a team of over 500 trained caregivers, many of whom come from marginalized backgrounds. Vantara is not just an elephant sanctuary—it is a beacon of compassion, transformation, and hope.
The organization is continuously working to raise the global standard in animal welfare by investing in national and international capacity-building initiatives. Alongside the ongoing Vantara Gajsevak Sammelan, Vantara is also hosting:
- An international wildlife officer training program for delegates from the Republic of Congo
- A National Veterinary Training session on Conservation Medicine in August
- The National Zoo Directors’ Conference in October
Each of these events brings together thought leaders, field practitioners, and policymakers to share insights, collaborate, and drive innovation in the field of wildlife conservation and animal care.
Also read: Vantara Niwas Jamnagar: Luxury Hotel Stay Near Wildlife Conservation Hub
Conclusion
The Vantara Gajsevak Sammelan is a groundbreaking step toward transforming elephant care in India. By empowering mahouts and caregivers with both knowledge and recognition, it sends a powerful message: that the wellbeing of elephants is deeply connected to the lives of those who care for them.
This initiative shines as a model for how tradition and science can unite to build a more compassionate and effective future for wildlife conservation. It also reinforces Vantara’s commitment to serving not only the animals in need but also the humans who stand by their side every day.
