Centre steps in over Maharashtra plan to dilute leopard protection

Mumbai: The controversy over the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maha Yuti government’s move to dilute legal protection for leopards has escalated with Centre asking the Maharashtra Forest Department to examine concerns raised by green groups.

Environmentalists have earlier made a fervent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reject what they describe as a “cruel and regressive” proposal to shift leopards from Schedule I to Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Activists warn the move could weaken India’s long-standing conservation framework. “Human lives matter, but so do the lives of wildlife,” said NatConnect Foundation, noting the Prime Minister’s consistent emphasis on protecting biodiversity.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has written to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests asking him to “take action as appropriate.”

The Ministry email from Dr Rajendra Kumar, Joint Director, was also marked to Dr V Clement Ben, Joint Director (Wildlife), signalling the Centre’s close attention to the issue.

The Maharashtra Cabinet cleared the recommendation to ease handling of human–wildlife conflict, with Forest Minister Ganesh Naik citing rising leopard numbers and increased encounters.

NatConnect Director B N Kumar urged the Centre to reject the proposal and instead strengthen forest protection.

“Diluting legal safeguards will send a dangerous signal when wildlife habitats are already under immense pressure,” he said, calling for stricter curbs on encroachment and a comprehensive policy to expand forest cover.

Conservationists argue that conflict is driven largely by habitat loss, fragmentation of wildlife corridors and rapid land-use changes—not by excessive protection. Nandakumar Pawar of Sagar Shakti blamed deforestation linked to mining, infrastructure and industrial expansion for pushing wildlife into human settlements.

“The focus should be on protecting forests, not eliminating wildlife,” he said. Powai-based activists including Pamela Cheema and Milan Bhat pointed to forest clearance and expanding agriculture, particularly sugarcane cultivation, as key drivers of rising encounters.

Jyoti Nadkarni warned the move could set a precedent for weakening protection of other species.

The activists also invoked India’s global conservation leadership through initiatives such as Project Tiger and Project Lion, arguing that any dilution of safeguards would run counter to that vision—as well as Maharashtra’s stated commitment to balancing “economy and ecology.”

With the Centre now seeking a review, “We hope the proposal will be reconsidered in favour of science-based, habitat-focused solutions rather than reduced legal protection for one of India’s most resilient big cats,” Kumar said.