INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE (IBCA) OVERVIEW

GS3 ECOLOGY& ENVIRONMENT

The IBCA is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization focused on big cat conservation worldwide. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, to mark 50 years of Project Tiger, its creation was endorsed by the Indian Union Cabinet on February 29, 2024, with headquarters in India.

Key Points:

• Founding and Membership: Five countries—Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, Liberia, and India—form the founding members, with 27 additional countries expressing intent to join.
• Objectives:
  The alliance targets the conservation of seven major big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. Its initiatives include combating illegal wildlife trade, facilitating financial and technical support, and addressing climate change impacts.
• Collaborative Efforts: IBCA promotes international collaboration by sharing best practices, creating a central repository of conservation knowledge, and strengthening global wildlife networks.
• Impact and Future Goals: Under India’s leadership, IBCA aims to reverse declining big cat populations and secure long-term ecological stability through enhanced conservation efforts and intergovernmental cooperation.