International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

News- The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) signed an agreement with the central government recently, officially making India the headquarters and secretariat of the alliance. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).

About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• It is a coalition of 96 big cat range countries and non-range countries dedicated to conserving seven big cats and their habitats.
• Genesis– Its idea was first floated by India’s Prime Minister in 2019. It was launched on April 9, 2023, during the 50th anniversary of India’s Project Tiger.
• Objective:
  • Stop the illegal trade of the seven big cats.
  • Work towards protecting the natural habitats of the seven big cats.
  • Gather financial and technical resources to support conservation and protection efforts.
• Focus: The IBCA focuses on seven big cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah. Five of these species are found in India (Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Cheetah).
• Depository of the Framework Agreement: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India.
• Membership: India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, and Somalia are the initial member countries, with nine international organizations partnering with the Alliance.
• Governance:
  • The IBCA has an Assembly of Members, a Standing Committee, and a Secretariat in India.
  • Its governance model is inspired by the International Solar Alliance (ISA), with a Director-General (DG) appointed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).