Cabinet approves establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India

Posted 01 Mar 2024

Updated 27 Mar 2024

2 min read

About IBCA
- Background: Commemorating 50^th year of Project Tiger, IBCA was launched in April 2023.
- Aim: Strengthen global cooperation for the conservation of seven big cat species (tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma) and their habitats.
  - except for Puma and Jaguar, India inhabits all 5 big cats.
- Multi-country, multi-agency coalition: Participants consist of 96 big cat range countries, non-range countries interested in big cat conservation, conservation partners and related scientific organizations.
- Funding:
  - India is providing initial support of Rs. 150 crore for five years (2023-24 to 2027-28).
  - Contributions from bilateral, multilateral agencies, and public sector organizations, among others, will be explored.
- Governance: Consists of:
  - Assembly of Members,
  - Standing Committee,
  - Secretariat.

Significance of protecting big cats and their habitats
- Balances ecosystem: By acting as top predators in the food chain.
- Water security: For example, the Himalayas (habitat of Snow Leopards) are the source of many major rivers in Asia.
- Mitigate Climate Change: Protecting Forest landscapes that store carbon.
- Cultural Icons: Culturally significant with faiths and folktales built around them across the world.
- Supports economy: Providing livelihood opportunities and promoting ecotourism.

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