NEWS

• The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) signed an official agreement with the Government of India.
• This agreement formally establishes India as the headquarters and secretariat of the alliance.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE (IBCA)

Launch and Approval

• Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023, during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
• Formally approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2024.

Implementation

• Implemented through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• Operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Objective

• To conserve seven major big cat species globally:
  • Tiger
  • Lion
  • Leopard
  • Snow Leopard
  • Puma
  • Jaguar
  • Cheetah

Membership of IBCA

Current Ratifying Members

• The first five countries to ratify the IBCA Framework Agreement:
  • India
  • Nicaragua
  • Eswatini
  • Somalia
  • Liberia

Membership Criteria

• Open to all UN Member States, including:
  • Range countries – nations where big cats naturally occur.
  • Non-range countries – nations interested in supporting big cat conservation efforts globally.

IBCA as a Global Legal Entity

• India formally joined the IBCA in September 2023 by ratifying the framework agreement.
• IBCA attained treaty-based intergovernmental status after five countries ratified the agreement.

Institutional Support and Funding

• India pledged ₹150 crore for the period 2023–2028 to support IBCA operations.
• The funds will be used for:
  • Creating a corpus fund
  • Building necessary infrastructure
  • Covering recurring expenses