Maharashtra forest department officials rescued a male leopard from Nashik's Deolali area on Saturday. The leopard was seen roaming near a school campus after which the forest department officials were called and the leopard rescued.
Officials have asked the people to be alert as they believe that there could be more leopards roaming in the area.
"Forest department officials rescued a male leopard from Nashik's Deolali area. It has been rescued from near KV school. People have been asked to be alert as there is a possibility that more leopards might be roaming in the area," said Vivek Bhadane, RFO Nashik, according to news agency ANI.
Meanwhile, the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill was passed in the Parliament on Thursday. The bill aims to seek better management of protected areas and also provide for certain permitted activities like grazing or movement of livestock and bona fide use of drinking and household water by local communities, reported news agency PTI.
The bill was passed in Rajya Sabha by a voice vote. Lok Sabha had cleared the legislation in August during the monsoon session.
The bill also seeks to include the aspects of "conservation" and "management" of wildlife which are covered by the Act and make amendments for better management of protected areas.
It proposes to rationalise and amend the schedules, which list out wildlife species, for the purposes of clarity, and ensure better care of seized live animals and disposal of seized wildlife parts and products, the PTI report stated.
The bill further seeks to enable control of invasive alien species and allow for transfer or transport of live elephants by person having ownership certificates in accordance with conditions prescribed by the central government.
(With inputs from agencies)