India to launch global alliance for big cats, invest $100 million

Source: The post is based on the article “India to launch global alliance for big cats, invest $100 million” published in Indian Express on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Government of India has proposed to launch an International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) under its leadership to protect big cats and assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of USD 100 million (over Rs 800 crore).

What is the International Big Cat Alliance(IBCA)?

IBCA is a proposed mega-global alliance that will work toward the protection and conservation of the seven major big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.

Purpose of alliance: To provide a platform for the dissemination of information on benchmarked practices, capacity building, resources repository, research and development, awareness creation, etc., on the protection and conservation of big cats.

Membership: Membership to the alliance will be open to 97 ‘range’ countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organizations, etc.

Major activities will include advocacy, partnership, knowledge e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism, partnerships between expert groups and finance tapping.

Composition: The IBCA’s governance structure will comprise: 1) A General Assembly consisting of all member countries, 2) A council of at least seven but not more than 15 member countries elected by the General Assembly for a term of 5 years and 3) A Secretariat.

– Upon the recommendation of the Council, the General Assembly will appoint the IBCA Secretary General for a specific term.

Funding: For the first five years, IBCA will be supported by India’s ‘total grant assistance’ of $100 million. After this, the alliance is expected to sustain itself through membership fees and contributions from bilateral and multilateral institutions and the private sector.