International Big Cat Alliance - India's Initiative for Big Cat Conservation

A Closer Look at the International Big Cat Alliance

• The IBCA is a proposed mega-global alliance that will endeavour to protect and conserve the seven major big cats - the cheetah, jaguar, puma, snow leopard, leopard, lion, and tiger.
• Following the initial five years, which will be supported by India’s ‘total grant assistance’ of $100 million, the IBCA plans to maintain its operations through contributions from the private sector, multilateral institutions, bilateral institutions, and membership fees.
• Key activities of the IBCA will encompass partnerships between expert groups, promotion of eco-tourism, capacity building, creation of a knowledge e-portal, advocacy, and finance tapping.
• The primary aim of the alliance is to serve as a platform for sharing information on awareness creation, research and development, resource repository, capacity building, benchmarked practices, and more, all pertaining to the conservation and protection of big cats.
• Membership to the alliance will be open to 97 'range' countries, which are home to the natural habitats of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organizations, and so on.
• Governance Structure: The IBCA will be governed by an Assembly for a term of 5 years, and a Secretariat. A General Assembly will consist of all member countries. A Council of at least seven but not more than 15 member countries elected by the General.

For more insights about the national animal of India, the Royal Bengal Tiger, click on the link.