Nagpur, Dec 9 (UNI) Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Tuesday said that the state government has proposed shifting highly aggressive leopards and tigers from Schedule I to Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act to allow for relaxed norms in eliminating animals that repeatedly attack humans.
He was speaking to reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan premises today, responding to a report highlighting concerns over human-animal conflicts, and wildlife-related issues.
Naik said that in view of the rising human–wildlife conflict across the state, attacks by leopards and tigers have now been officially classified as a “state disaster.” As part of the revised protocol, the family of any person killed in a wildlife attack will be offered government employment.
The minister stressed that this measure is a matter of duty and not a gesture of generosity from the government.
Assistance to victims of such incidents will now be provided on par with aid granted during natural disasters.
Naik further informed that the union Government’s Wildlife Department has granted limited approval for the sterilisation of certain wildlife species.
Implementation decisions will be based on research and development inputs.
He further added that, subject to central approval, some leopards may be relocated to other states or even other countries.
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