International Big Cat Alliance
Recently the Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance. The headquarters of this alliance will be in India. For this, the Central Government will provide budgetary assistance of Rs 150 crore for the next five years (2023-24 to 2027-28).
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):
- The International Big Cat Alliance is a multi-country and multi-agency alliance launched by the Government of India in April 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
- Its objective is to conserve the 7 big cats like tiger, cheetah, lion, snow leopard, jaguar, puma and leopard. Of these, five big cats i.e. tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah and snow leopard are found in India.
- Membership of the International Big Cat Alliance will be open to 96 big cat breed countries. Along with this, other interested nations and international organizations will also participate in it.
- This would be a demonstrative step forward in taking a leadership position on the Big Cat agenda, bringing Big Cat range countries and others on a common platform.
Membership of the International Big Cat Alliance:
- 16 countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Brazil and Malaysia have officially joined the India-led International Big Cat Alliance.
- Apart from this, 9 international organizations including World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have also given their consent to join the coalition.
Thus, this alliance will ensure sustainable use of natural resources and reduce the challenges posed by climate change. It will also promote cooperation between countries for mutual benefit and will greatly contribute to advancing the long-term conservation agenda.
