The Union Cabinet approved the proposal of India to become a member country of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) by signing and ratification of the Framework Agreement on the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
Key points
- On the occasion of Commemorating 50 years of India’s Project Tiger on April 9, 2023 the Prime Minister launched an International Big Cat Alliance aiming at securing the future of seven big cats and landscapes they thrive.
- Seven big cats include Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and the Cheetah. Out of these five big cats viz. Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah are found in India.
- The Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 29.02.2024 approved the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance with Headquarters in India with a one-time budgetary support of Rs. 150 crores.
- The International Big Cat Alliance aims to be multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 95 big cat range countries, non-range countries interested in big cat conservation, conservation partners and scientific organizations working in the field of big cat conservation besides business groups and corporates willing to contribute to the cause of big cats.
- All UN member countries are eligible for becoming the member of IBCA. Twenty-four (24) countries (including India) have consented to be members of IBCA.
- So far 4 countries have become member of IBCA including India, Nicaragua, Eswatini and Somalia. India is a founder member of International Big Cat Alliance.
