Backlash as Indian oil heir made professor of sustainability by Newcastle University

Role for Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest person, who also runs a controversial mega-zoo, met with incredulity

Newcastle University is facing a backlash from conservationists over the appointment of the heir to an Indian oil and gas fortune who runs a controversial mega-zoo as a professor of sustainability.

The university announced that Anant Ambani had been given a professorship of practice for “his work in conservation, biodiversity protection, animal welfare and environmental stewardship” and “significant contributions to advancing a more sustainable future”.