In News:

The first General Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was held in New Delhi, marking a significant moment in global biodiversity governance. Chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who was unanimously elected President of the IBCA, the event underscored India’s leadership in international wildlife conservation diplomacy.

What is IBCA?

• The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a multinational initiative launched by India in March 2024 to conserve the world’s seven major big cat species—Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma—through collective action, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.
• It is coordinated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The Alliance was conceptualized following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger in April 2023.

Objectives of IBCA

• Promote global collaboration for the protection and conservation of big cats.
• Replicate successful conservation practices across member nations.
• Create a common pool of financial, technical, and institutional resources.
• Address gaps in capacity building, financing, and data sharing.
• Link conservation efforts with livelihood enhancement and climate resilience in big cat habitats.
• Strengthen efforts against poaching and illegal wildlife trade through joint surveillance and data exchange.

Membership

• 95 Range Countries (where the species naturally occur) are eligible to join.
• By September 2024, 25 countries including Bangladesh, Nigeria, Peru, and Ecuador had joined.
• Membership is open to all UN member states through a Note Verbale.
• The IBCA attained legal status after five countries—Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia—signed the Framework Agreement.

Key Functions of IBCA

• Shared Repository: Compilation of proven conservation strategies for scalable, science-based solutions.
• Training and Capacity Building: Organizes technical workshops and institutional exchanges.
• Scientific and Policy Support: Funds research, drives policy reforms, and raises awareness.
• Technological Innovation: Introduces advanced tools to tackle habitat degradation and prey base decline.
• Sustainable Livelihoods: Integrates conservation with community-based development models.
• Anti-Poaching Collaboration: Facilitates real-time data sharing and joint actions against wildlife trafficking.

Highlights from the 2025 General Assembly

• Venue: New Delhi, India
• Participating Nations: Ministerial delegations from nine countries including Bhutan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, Republic of Guinea, Eswatini, and India.
• Institutional Milestones:
  • India ratified as the permanent headquarters of IBCA.
  • The Headquarters Agreement was formally ratified, enabling the establishment of IBCA offices in India.
• Leadership: Bhupender Yadav, India’s Environment Minister, was elected as the first President of IBCA.
• Funding Commitment: India pledged ?150 crore (2023–28) to support IBCA’s establishment, coordination, and conservation activities.

Significance for India and the Global South

• Reinforces India’s role as a conservation leader and soft power in environmental diplomacy.
• Positions India as the epicentre for global big cat conservation, akin to its leadership in tiger conservation under Project Tiger.
• Encourages South-South cooperation in biodiversity preservation.
• Aligns with global commitments like CBD, CITES, and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

In News:

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the conservation of seven major big cat species, has officially signed an agreement with the Government of India, establishing India as the permanent host of its headquarters and secretariat.

Background and Launch

• Launched: April 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 50th anniversary celebrations of Project Tiger.
• Objective: To facilitate global cooperation for the conservation of seven big cats:Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Puma, andJaguar.
• The IBCA is implemented through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

International Status and Membership

• The IBCA became a treaty-based intergovernmental alliance after five countries ratified the framework agreement:India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, andNicaragua.
• India formally joined the IBCA in September 2023.
• The alliance is open to all UN Member States, including:
  • Range countries (where big cats are native), and
  • Non-range countries that wish to support conservation efforts globally.

Headquarters and Agreement

• On March 28, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the IBCA headquarters in India.
• An agreement was signed in May 2024 between the IBCA and the Indian government, outlining:
  • Privileges and immunities for IBCA personnel,
  • Visa facilitation, and
  • Operational and legal provisions for the headquarters.

Funding and Support

• India has committed a total of ?150 crore (2023–2028) for:
  • Creating a corpus fund,
  • Building infrastructure, and
  • Meeting recurring expenditures over five years.

In News:

India formally joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.

• Objective: The IBCA aims to conserve the world's seven big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma, focusing on their protection and natural habitats.
• Founding Members: India joins Nicaragua, Eswatini, and Somalia as founding members of the IBCA, which will collaborate with 24 countries and nine organizations.
• Headquarters: The IBCA will be headquartered in India, facilitating efforts to protect big cats and their ecosystems.

Purpose and Goals of IBCA

• Conservation Focus: The alliance addresses common challenges in the protection of the seven big cats, promoting sustainable resource use and tackling climate change.
• Collaboration and Support: The IBCA will provide a platform for member nations to share knowledge, expertise, and support recovery efforts in potential habitats.
• Mobilization of Resources: The alliance aims to mobilize financial and technical resources for effective conservation strategies based on global experiences.

Background and Evolution

• Inception: PM Modi proposed an international initiative against poaching and illegal wildlife trade in 2019, advocating for collaboration among tiger range countries.
• Extension of Project Tiger: The IBCA serves as an extension of India's long-standing commitment to wildlife protection, initially exemplified by the launch of Project Tiger in 1973.

Big Cat Species Overview

1. Tiger (Endangered)
   • Population: Approx. 3,167 in India, accounting for over 75% of the global population.
   • Threats: Habitat loss, poaching, and climate change impacting their territory.
2. Lion (Vulnerable)
   • Population: Estimated 700 in India.
   • Threats: Habitat reduction and targeted poaching.
3. Leopard (Near Threatened)
   • Population: Around 13,000 in India, with approximately 250,000 globally.
   • Threats: Habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
4. Snow Leopard (Vulnerable)
   • Population: 400-700 in India, with global estimates of 4,000-6,500.
   • Threats: Poaching, habitat loss, and human disturbances.
5. Cheetah (Vulnerable)
   • Population: Declined to less than 7,000 globally; declared extinct in India in 1952.
   • Threats: Habitat loss, climate change, and illegal trafficking.
6. Jaguar (Near Threatened)
   • Population: Approximately 173,000 globally, primarily in South America.
   • Threats: Deforestation, illegal hunting, and habitat fragmentation.
7. Puma (Near Threatened)
   • Population: Estimated 50,000, experiencing a decline.
   • Threats: Habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.

Future Initiatives

• Translocation Efforts: Following successful cheetah translocations from Namibia and South Africa, India plans to explore similar initiatives for other big cats.
• Global Cooperation: The IBCA will strengthen conservation efforts by working with a broader network of range countries to combat poaching and promote habitat preservation.