International Big Cat Alliance comes into force as a global legal entity

India's International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has become an official inter-governmental organisation aimed at conserving seven big cat species globally. Launched by Prime Minister Modi, the IBCA is now operational with 27 countries consenting to join, including India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, and Liberia.

NEW DELHI: The International Big Cat Alliance ( IBCA ), India's brainchild to conserve seven big cats, has come into force as a full-fledged treaty-based inter-governmental organisation and global legal entity, headquartered in Delhi. The Alliance was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the event commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger in India on April 9, 2023 with an aim of conservation of seven big cats -- Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma – in coordination with other countries. India is home to five big cats -- Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah.

The environment ministry on Monday said the IBCA and its secretariat have come into force with effect from January 23. As of now, 27 countries have consented to join IBCA with five of them, including India, depositing their respective instruments of ratification/ acceptance. Other four are: Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia and Liberia.

The IBCA was established by India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in March last year. Its primary objective is to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve a common goal of conservation of big cats at global level. All UN member countries, including non-range countries interested in big cat conservation , are eligible to become members of IBCA.

The Alliance's framework aims for cooperation among countries for mutual benefit in furthering the conservation agenda with big cats as mascots for sustainable development and livelihood security..