Maharashtra Reclassifies Leopards to Schedule 2 Species

Mumbai, March 13: In response to the increasing incidents of leopards entering human settlements due to habitat destruction, Maharashtra’s Forest Minister Ganesh Naik announced on Thursday that the state cabinet has approved the reclassification of leopards from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2.

Naik stated that Maharashtra is currently seeking the necessary permissions from the central wildlife department to formalize this change.

“Once leopards are moved to Schedule 2, if a leopard enters a human settlement and is killed in self-defense, that individual will not face legal action,” he explained. This response came during a discussion initiated by member Satyajit Deshmukh regarding the rising presence of leopards in his area and the need for their inclusion in Schedule 2.

Deshmukh highlighted the increasing leopard sightings and inquired about specific measures being taken to reduce human-animal conflict.

Minister Naik confirmed the reclassification decision and mentioned that leopards posing a threat to human life would be officially declared ‘man-eaters.’

He also provided information on population control measures. The state has proposed sterilization for 150 leopards to the central government, which has approved the capture and sterilization of five female leopards on an experimental basis.

Additionally, he noted that forest personnel have increased regular patrols in sensitive areas where human-leopard conflicts are frequent. In regions with high leopard activity, schools have been instructed to maintain flexible programs to ensure student safety.

To manage captured animals, the government is enhancing the capacity of existing rescue centers for tigers, leopards, and other wild predator species. Efforts are underway to transfer captured leopards to zoos and wildlife rescue centers in other states, pending approval from the Central Zoo Authority.

Meanwhile, State Minister Ashish Jaiswal emphasized the need to balance state development with environmental protection. He stressed that all societal sectors must adopt fundamental lifestyle changes to safeguard the planet. This was in response to a half-hour discussion raised by member Amol Mitkari under Rule 92.

Minister Jaiswal remarked that modern infrastructure, such as cement-concrete homes and new roads, is an ongoing part of the development process. However, stringent measures against pollution are also essential.

“We cannot halt development, but we must launch comprehensive awareness campaigns to reduce water, air, and noise pollution,” he stated.

He suggested making environmental studies mandatory at the school level to foster environmental consciousness from an early age. The minister also expressed concern over deteriorating waste management and the alarming increase in plastic use in rural areas.

He urged citizens to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives in their daily chores, religious rituals, and weddings, moving away from plastic.