International Big Cat Alliance Now a Treaty Organization

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially been established as a treaty-based intergovernmental organization, with its headquarters in India. The alliance focuses on the global conservation of seven iconic big cat species—tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. It also aims to address issues such as illegal wildlife trade, poaching, and climate change. The IBCA was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, during the 50th anniversary of India’s ‘Project Tiger’. As of January 23, 2025, the alliance gained full international legal status, with ratifications from five countries—India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, and Liberia. Several national and international organizations involved in wildlife conservation have also partnered with the IBCA.

About International Big Cat Alliance

• Launch Date: April 9, 2023
• Headquarters: India (National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
• Objective: Global conservation of seven big cat species
• Official Status: Treaty-based intergovernmental organization as of January 23, 2025
• Member Countries: 5 countries ratified the Framework Agreement, with 27 countries expressing intent to join
• Species Covered: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma

Focus Areas of IBCA

• Conservation: Protecting big cat species and their habitats
• Illegal Wildlife Trade: Strengthening anti-poaching laws and enforcement
• Financial & Technical Support: Supporting range and non-range countries in conservation efforts
• Climate Change: Integrating conservation with sustainability initiatives
• Research & Monitoring: Sharing data and conducting ecological studies
• Funding: Resource mobilization for conservation projects

Objectives and Functions

• Global Conservation: Prioritizing the protection of big cat species across the globe
• Policy Advocacy: Aligning strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Collaborative Platform: Sharing best practices and data related to conservation
• Resource Mobilization: Ensuring sufficient funding for habitat protection and anti-poaching initiatives
• Research & Monitoring: Continuous research to track the health of species and their habitats

Governance and Funding

• Budget: ₹150 crore (2023-28)
• Director-General: Appointed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
• Inspiration: Modeled after the International Solar Alliance (ISA)

Member Countries of ISA

• India
• Nicaragua
• Eswatini
• Somalia
• Liberia