International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

Why in News?

Ahead of the Global Big Cat Summit by IBCA, India is drafting a New Delhi Declaration, set to become the first international declaration on big cat conservation if adopted.

• IBCA – It is the first-of-its-kind multi-country, multi-agency coalition with an interest in big cat conservation.
  • 7 Big Cats – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
• Launch – Initiated by India in April 2023, marking 50 years of Project Tiger.
• Vision – To cultivate a global ecosystem where big cats thrive in harmony, achieved through international collaboration, scientific research, and community involvement.
• Headquarters – New Delhi, India.
• Partnership – It brings together 97 range countries (where these big cats live), non-range countries interested in big cat conservation, conservation partners, and scientific organisations.
• Objectives
  • To ensure cooperation for the conservation of 7 big cats by arresting the decline in population and reversing the trend.
  • To establish a central repository for knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, advocacy, finance and support research.
• Membership – Open to all UN member states, including "range" and "non-range" countries; currently, it has 22 member countries, including India, Bhutan, Nepal, Russia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Malaysia, and others.
  • Ratified Members - India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, and Liberia
  • Observers - Kazakhstan, Namibia, Thailand.
  • Recently Joined - Nepal (August 2025) and Russia (December 2025).
• Structure – General Assembly (apex decision-making body), A Standing Committee (governance and recommendation), & A Secretariat headed by a Director-General.

Quick Fact

India is collaborating with African nations for cheetah reintroduction (imported from Namibia, South Africa, Botswana) &  with Cambodia for translocating tigers, marking intercontinental wildlife conservation partnerships.

References

1. Indian Express | IBCA
2. IBCA | IBCA