Mumbai: Komodo dragons, cheetahs and birds: It’s just the latest project for Asia’s richest family.
The Ambanis are building one of the world’s biggest zoos in Gujarat, the family’s home state.
The animal venture, which will also include a rescue centre to support the local government, is scheduled to open in 2023, according to Parimal Nathwani, corporate affairs director at Reliance Industries Ltd., NDTV reported.
A Reliance representative declined to comment on the cost of the project or give further details.
The Ambanis are worth about $80 billion, with an empire that has expanded to tech and e-commerce.
“They have the economic horsepower to turn fantasy into reality,” said Rebecca Gooch, director of research at Campden Wealth, referring to why billionaires might put their cash into quirky ventures.
“Investing in public spaces can help both a family’s and its company’s image, in turn aiding profitability and mitigating potentially negative exposure. It can also affirm a wealth holder’s standing in society and publicly cement a family’s legacy well into the future,” Gooch added.
