India announces the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance

New Delhi: India on Thursday approved the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with a budgetary support of Rs.150 crore for a period of five years.

The main objective of the alliance is to ensure the conservation of seven big cats: Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Cheetah, Snow Leopard, Jaguar, and Puma.

The IBCA is an initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023, during an event in Mysuru commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, and called for an Alliance of Global Leaders to curb poaching in Asia.

The International Big Cat Alliance has been conceived as a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 96 big cat range countries, non-range countries interested in big cat conservation.

The framework of the IBCA is structured to enable a “centralised repository of successful practices” by bringing together countries, agencies, scientific organisations, and industries working in the field of big cat conservation.

It also work in the establishment the networks and develop synergies in a focused manner so as to bring to a common platform a centralized repository of successful practices and personnel, backed by financial support which can be leveraged to strengthen the conservation agenda.

The Alliance ensures sustainable use of natural resources and mitigates challenges emanating from climate change, said the official statement.

By safeguarding big cats and their habitats, the IBCA contributes to natural climate adaptation, water and food security and well-being of thousands of communities reliant on these ecosystems.

IBCA would instil cooperation among countries for mutual benefit and immensely contribute in furthering long term conservation agenda, it added.