NEWS – Nepal has officially joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), an India-led global initiative aimed at conserving seven species of big cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.

HIGHLIGHTS

About the IBCA

• Launched by PM Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023 in Mysuru, Karnataka.
• Membership: Over 90 range and non-range countries.
• Objective: To facilitate international cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and resource mobilization for big cat conservation.

Nepal’s Contribution

• Nepal signed the Framework Agreement of IBCA.
• Home to three big cats: Snow Leopard, Tiger, and Common Leopard.
• Nepal has demonstrated remarkable conservation success:
  • Tiger population nearly tripled from 121 (2009) to 355 (2022).
• IBCA noted that Nepal’s entry strengthens regional ecological security and global conservation collaboration.

India’s Role

• India has extensive experience in big cat conservation, with:
  • Project Tiger as a global model.
  • Conservation efforts for Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard, and Leopard.
• Through IBCA, India seeks to extend its conservation expertise to other countries.

Significance

• Global Collaboration: Creates a unified platform for nations to share best practices.
• Ecological Security: Ensures protection of predator species critical to ecological balance.
• Symbol of Soft Power: Strengthens India’s leadership in environmental diplomacy.
• Regional Integration: Enhances cooperation between South Asian countries, especially in transboundary landscapes like the Himalayas.