India has recently launched the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with the aim of conserving seven major big cat species on Earth. Inspired by the success of Project Tiger, which has contributed to India being home to 70% of the world’s tigers, the IBCA will focus on protecting and conserving key big cat species, including Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah.
The idea for the alliance originated in July 2019, when Prime Minister Modi called for a coalition of global leaders to join forces against poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia on Global Tiger Day. The establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance is a testament to the commitment to this initiative’s principles. According to Modi, the alliance will play a vital role in mobilizing financial and technical resources to support the entire ecosystem associated with big cats, thereby ensuring their conservation and protection.
Aim of IBCA
The alliance aims to reach out to 97 range countries covering the natural habitats. IBCA would further strengthen global cooperation and efforts to conserve the wild denizens, especially the big cats.
Significance of big cats alliance:
The alliance seeks to bring together countries, conservationists, and experts from around the world to collaborate on conservation efforts for these seven big cat species.
Through IBCA, India hopes to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices in conserving these species with other countries that have significant big cat populations, such as Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa.
The alliance also aims to facilitate collaborations between governments, NGOs, and the private sector to create sustainable solutions for conservation.
The launch of IBCA marks a significant step towards the conservation of these magnificent animals, as their populations face unprecedented threats from habitat loss, poaching, and human-animal conflicts.