The Government of Maharashtra on March 17, 2026, issued the Wild Life (Protection) (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2026 further to amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, in its application to the State of Maharashtra.
The following amendments have been stated:
• In section 12 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, in its application to the State of Maharashtra, in the proviso,
(i) in clause (a), after the words and figure "in Schedule I" the words, figures and letters "excluding Leopard Panthera pardus specified in entry at serial No. 43 in Part A: MAMMALS in Schedule I," shall be inserted;
(ii) in clause (b), after the words "any other wild animal" the words, figures and letters "including Leopard Panthera pardus specified in entry at serial No. 43 in Part A: MAMMALS in Schedule I," shall be inserted.
It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
[L. A. BILL No. XXIV OF 2026]
