International Big Cat Alliance:
In a major development, the Framework Agreement on establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially come into force.
- It was established by Government of India, through the nodal organisation viz., National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- It was launched on 9th April 2023, during the event ‘Commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger’.
- It aims to conserve the seven big cats – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.
- It is open to 97 ‘range’ countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organizations, etc.
- Present Member countries: Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia and Liberia – have deposited the instruments of ratification under the Article VIII (1) of the Framework Agreement.
- Objective:
- To facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve a common goal of conservation of big cats at global level.
- This unified approach, bolstered by financial support, aims to bolster the conservation agenda, halt the decline in big cat populations, and reverse current trends.
