The former forest official claimed the proposal of the Maharashtra forest department to bring leopards into Schedule II, appeared to be a joint strategy of the state and Centre: the state proposes it and the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)/Centre approves it, leading to poor legal safeguards for leopard conservation. “It is to be seen as to how the Centre rules on it.”
“It is extremely worrying too see that across states, proposals are being made for downgrading legal protection to wildlife as was seen in Kerala recently where the State tried to amend the WLPA without NBWL approval and in contravention to legal provisions of the WLPA,” she said, adding when the forest department and forest officers lead the way in weakening the country’s protection regime for its natural wealth, what further hope is left?
Debadityo Sinha, a conservationist and lead, climate & ecosystems, at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy told DTE that the state cabinet’s decision to list the leopard under Schedule II has largely symbolic value.
“Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the leopard is already placed in Schedule I and changing that status would require a formal amendment to the Act by the Parliament of India, as it is a central legislation. Such amendments involve the MoEFCC publishing a draft bill, inviting public comments, and then introducing it in both Houses of Parliament,” he said.
Sinha added that until that process happens, cabinet announcements by any state do not alter the legal status.
“The Act already provides mechanisms, to manage wild animals including capturing them under specific circumstances. In that sense, such statements often function more as political messaging to address public concerns rather than bringing any immediate legal change,” he said.