India, March 13 -- Experts say that Maharashtra's move to reclassify the leopard (Panthera pardus) from Schedule I to Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 or WLPA is setting a wrong precedent with regard to conservation. The measure comes after the state government decided to transfer 50 leopards to Reliance-owned facility, Vantara in Gujarat's Jamnagar.

On March 12, Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik announced on the floor of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly about having received a nod from the state Cabinet to recategorise the big cat species.

The step is ostensibly aimed at addressing human-leopard conflict in Maharashtra.

Species categorised under Schedule I of the WLPA receive the highest level of protection...