Former Supreme Court judge Justice Krishna Murari has been appointed to the newly established independent Governing Council of Vantara, marking a significant step in strengthening the organisation’s governance and oversight framework. The council will be responsible for supervising Vantara’s wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation programmes, along with legal compliance and the organisation’s long-term plans.
Justice Krishna Murari, who previously served as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, is among the five voting members of the new council. The panel brings together professionals with experience in law, wildlife conservation, environmental governance and public administration.
The Governing Council has been created to provide independent oversight of Vantara’s activities and future direction. Its responsibilities will include reviewing the organisation’s wildlife conservation work, monitoring compliance-related matters and helping shape its roadmap for the coming years.
One of the council’s key powers will involve decisions related to future applications for the import of wild animals. Under the new governance structure, the council will have the final say on such applications, adding another layer of independent scrutiny to the process.
John E. Scanlon Named Independent Chair
John E. Scanlon AO, who previously served as Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has been appointed as the independent Chair of the Governing Council.
Alongside Justice Krishna Murari and Scanlon, the voting members include Craig Hoover, Executive Vice President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; Subhash K. Malkhede, a senior Indian Forest Service officer and former Chief Wildlife Warden of Karnataka; and conservation expert Greta F. Iori.
Craig Hoover’s term on the council is scheduled to begin in January 2027.
Wildlife veterinarian and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma will also be associated with the council as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
Independent Structure for Vantara
Vantara said the members of the Governing Council will serve independently and in their individual capacities. The organisation has also clarified that no active Vantara employee will hold a voting position on the council.
The structure is intended to maintain a clear separation between Vantara’s day-to-day operations and the independent oversight provided by the council. Its members will be involved in reviewing important matters concerning conservation, compliance and the organisation’s future plans.
The Governing Council will also oversee Vantara’s voluntary commitments that were communicated to the Indian CITES Management Authority in August 2026.
No Wildlife Import Applications Before June 2027
As part of the new governance framework, Vantara has announced a specific commitment concerning future wildlife import applications. The organisation will not submit any official application to import wild animals before June 5, 2027.
If an application is proposed after that date, it will require prior written approval from the independent Governing Council. The proposal will also have to go through Vantara’s internal review process before an application can be submitted.
The new arrangement gives the council an important role in determining whether Vantara should pursue future wildlife imports and ensures that such decisions are subject to independent review.
Council to Help Shape Vantara’s Five-Year Roadmap
Beyond conservation and compliance oversight, the Governing Council will also contribute to shaping Vantara’s vision and strategic roadmap for the next five years and beyond.
The appointment of Justice Krishna Murari and the other members therefore represents more than a change in administrative structure. It establishes an independent body with responsibility for reviewing major aspects of Vantara’s operations, conservation commitments and future plans.
With senior figures from the judiciary, international wildlife regulation, conservation, forestry and zoological management represented on the council, Vantara’s new governance framework brings together expertise from several fields. The organisation says the council will play a central role in maintaining oversight of its wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work while guiding its future direction.