International Big Cat Alliance Established

Summary of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Assembly

On June 16, 2024, the first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) convened in New Delhi, presided over by the Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, who was unanimously endorsed as President by representatives from nine countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, and Kazakhstan.

• Formation and Purpose:

  • The Indian government established the IBCA in March 2024 through the National Tiger Conservation Authority, part of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • The IBCA’s primary objective is to focus on the conservation of seven big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
  • The initiative aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders and replicate successful conservation strategies across the 95 range countries where these big cats are found.

• Financial Commitment:

  • The Indian government has allocated Rs 150 crore for the conservation efforts under the IBCA, covering the period from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

• Membership:

  • By September 2024, 25 countries, including Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Kenya, and Rwanda, agreed to join the IBCA.
  • All UN member countries are eligible for membership after signing and submitting a framework agreement through a Note Verbale, a diplomatic form of communication.

• Context and Need for the IBCA:

  • The IBCA was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger in 2023.
  • Historical context indicates that the tiger population in India reduced from approximately 40,000 at the time of independence to about 1,800 by 1970 due to hunting and poaching, emphasizing the dire need for such conservation efforts.

• Ecological Significance:

  • Big cats play a crucial role as apex predators, regulating prey populations and maintaining ecosystems. Their conservation contributes to preventing ecological disasters, preserving habitats, and promoting biodiversity.
  • Protecting these species also aids in climate adaptation and mitigation by facilitating processes that sequester carbon.

• Current Status of Tigers in India:

  • Presently, India hosts more than 3,600 tigers, which constitute about 70% of the global tiger population. However, ongoing challenges include deforestation and human-wildlife conflicts, with evolving poaching methods becoming more sophisticated and efficient, posing renewed threats to these species.

• Collective Action:

  • During the Assembly, Minister Yadav emphasized the necessity for united efforts in conservation.
  • The headquarters agreement ratified at the event established the headquarters and additional offices for the IBCA in India.

Key Points

• International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was founded in March 2024 to conserve seven species of big cats.
• Rs 150 crore allocated for the IBCA from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
• 25 countries expressed consent to join the alliance as of September 2024.
• Emphasized the historical decline of tigers from 40,000 to 1,800 by 1970.
• 3,600 tigers currently in India, accounting for 70% of the global population.
• An urgent need to tackle deforestation and poaching, which have evolved into sophisticated networks.
• Emphasis on collective action to enhance conservation efforts at the Assembly.
• Ratification of a headquarters agreement establishes IBCA’s operational base in India.