India to host International Big Cat Alliance Summit in June; launches logo and website

New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday launched the website and logo for the 1st International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026 in New Delhi, and also released a promotional film for the global event.

The Summit, scheduled to be held on June 1 in the national capital, will bring together over 400 conservationists, policymakers, scientists, and representatives from across the world to deliberate on the conservation of seven major big cat species, lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister described the launch as “an important milestone towards a landmark global gathering dedicated to the conservation of the world’s iconic big cats.”

Mr Yadav said India would host the first IBCA Summit with participation expected from Heads of State and Government of member and observer countries.

“The Summit, guided by the theme ‘Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem’, will bring together global stakeholders to deliberate on the future of big cat conservation,” he said.

Highlighting India’s conservation efforts, the Minister said the country’s journey has been marked by scientific management, institutional collaboration and community participation.

“India has demonstrated that conservation and development can go hand in hand, strengthening ecosystems, improving livelihoods and addressing climate challenges,” he noted.

Referring to the launch of the International Big Cat Alliance in 2023 under the leadership of PM Modi, Mr Yadav said, “IBCA is a first-of-its-kind platform that brings together countries home to the seven big cats, reflecting our belief that conservation challenges must be addressed collectively.”

He underlined that the Summit would be a defining moment in global conservation diplomacy. “For the first time, world leaders will convene exclusively to deliberate on big cat conservation across continents,” he said.

The Minister also informed that a key outcome of the Summit would be the adoption of the ‘Delhi Declaration’ on big cat conservation. “The declaration will articulate shared priorities, strengthen transboundary cooperation and promote a landscape-based approach for conserving big cats and their habitats,” he added.

The Summit will be followed by technical sessions on June 1 and 2, with participation from representatives of 95 big cat range countries. A curated exhibition showcasing tribal art, immersive photography, films and India’s conservation practices will also be organised.

Speaking on the newly launched website, Mr Yadav said it would serve as a global platform for outreach, engagement and information sharing, while ensuring a unified digital identity for the Summit.

Describing the Summit logo, he said it symbolises harmony and interconnected ecosystems, featuring the seven big cat species encircled by a lotus-inspired design representing the five elements of nature.

Concluding his address, the Minister urged countries to ensure high-level participation and called upon nations not yet part of IBCA to join the alliance. “Leadership and engagement will be critical in making the Summit a global success,” he said.

Senior officials and Heads of Mission of big cat range countries attended the event, including Secretary, MoEFCC Tanmay Kumar; Secretary (West), MEA Shri Sibi George; Director General (Forests) and Special Secretary, MoEFCC Sushil Kumar Awasthi; and Director General, IBCA S.P. Yadav.