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International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

11 Aug 2025 GS 3 Environment
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Click to view full image

Launch & Establishment:

  • Announced by PM Narendra Modi on 9 April 2023 during 50 years of Project Tiger.

  • Union Cabinet approval: 29 Feb 2024.

  • Established: 12 March 2024, through National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), MoEFCC.

  • HQ: India.

  • Initial Govt. Support: One time support ₹150 crore for 5 years (2023–24 to 2027–28).

  • Patterned on the International Solar Alliance (ISA) model.

Members & Scope:

  • 95 Range countries hosting the 7 big cats.
  • Non-range countries willing to support conservation.

  • Seven species covered:

    1. Tiger

    2. Lion

    3. Leopard

    4. Snow Leopard

    5. Cheetah

    6. Jaguar

    7. Puma

  • Found in India: (5) Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah.

Objectives:

  • Global collaboration for big cat conservation.

  • Halt and reverse decline in big cat populations.

  • Share & replicate India’s conservation best practices.

  • Integrate biodiversity policies with UN SDGs (climate change, poverty reduction, food security).

  • Serve as a central repository for conservation know-how & funds.

Approach & Functions:

  • Knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, research, advocacy.

  • Corpus fund with contributions from bilateral/multilateral agencies, corporates, financial institutions.

  • Strengthen species-specific platforms & transnational conservation efforts.

  • Promote habitat restoration and ecosystem-based climate adaptation.

  • Engage youth, local communities & brand ambassadors for awareness.

Governance:

IBCA governance consists of Assembly of Members, Standing Committee and a Secretariat with its Head Quarter in India.

  • Assembly of Members (apex body).

  • Standing Committee.

  • Secretariat in India.

  • International Steering Committee to finalise framework & agreements.

  • First Assembly (16 June 2025, New Delhi) — attended by 9 countries, endorsed:

    • Bhupender Yadav as President.

    • S.P. Yadav as Director General.

    • Ratified HQ Agreement, workplan, rules of procedure, staff & finance manual.

Significance:

  • Positions India as a global leader in wildlife conservation.

  • Promotes environmental resilience & climate change mitigation through species conservation.

  • Contributes to livelihood security, eco-tourism, and sustainable development.

  • Supports India’s climate diplomacy and leadership in South-South cooperation.



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