Nepal Enters the International Big Cat Alliance:
Nepal has officially joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
- International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is an India-led global multi-country, multi-agency coalition of more than 90 big cat range and non-range countries dedicated to conserving 7 big cat species and their habitats.
- It was proposed by the Prime Minister of India in 2019, officially launched in April 2023 (Mysuru, Karnataka) on the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
- Founding Members (16): India, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Kenya, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Suriname, & Uganda.
- Focus Species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, Puma.
- India hosts 5 of the 7 (Puma and Jaguar are not found in India).
- Objective is to curb illegal wildlife trade, conserve natural habitats, mobilise financial and technical resources, mitigate climate change impacts on big cats.
- Modelled on the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and comprises an Assembly of Members as the main decision-making body, a Standing Committee for policy execution, and a Secretariat based in India (New Delhi).
