International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), Objectives and Significance

Context: The first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was held in New Delhi, presided over by the Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav.

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of countries with an interest in big cat conservation.
• Origin: IBCA was launched by the Prime Minister of India in 2023 during the event ‘Commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger’.
  • Established through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
  • Functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Membership: Membership will be open to 97 “range” countries, which host the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organizations, etc.
• Budgetary Support: 150 crores for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
• It is the first-ever global alliance for big cat conservation.
• The alliance has received ratifications from India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia and Liberia.

Objectives

• Global Conservation of 7 big cats – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.
  • India hosts five of these: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah (excluding Jaguar and Puma).
• Prevent Illegal Wildlife Trade by strengthening anti-poaching laws and enforcement.
• Financial & Technical Support for conservation efforts in range and non-range countries.

Headquarters of IBCA

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has its Headquarters in India. India officially became the host country for the IBCA headquarters after signing a Headquarters Agreement with the alliance on April 17, 2025. Specifically, the Secretariat of the IBCA is located at: IBCA 118, First Floor, Jor Bagh, New Delhi 110003, India.

Purpose of IBCA

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a recent initiative launched by India with the primary objective of conserving seven major big cat species found on Earth. These species include:

• Tiger
• Lion
• Leopard
• Snow Leopard
• Puma
• Jaguar, and
• Cheetah.

Inspired by the success of India’s Project Tiger, which has contributed significantly to the conservation of tigers and made India the home of 70% of the world’s tiger population, the IBCA extends its focus to safeguarding these key big cat species.

The concept of the alliance originated in July 2019 when Prime Minister Modi proposed the idea of a global coalition to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia on International Tiger Day. The formation of the International Big Cat Alliance demonstrates a firm commitment to the principles of this initiative.

The main aim of the alliance is to engage with 97 range countries that encompass the natural habitats of these big cats. Through enhanced global cooperation and joint efforts, the IBCA seeks to conserve and protect these wild denizens, thereby ensuring their long-term survival and well-being. The alliance is expected to mobilise financial and technical resources to support the conservation of the entire ecosystem associated with big cats, amplifying their conservation impact.

International Big Cat Alliance Members 

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a collaborative initiative launched by India to conserve seven major big cat species on Earth, namely the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. The alliance seeks to engage with 97 range countries that cover the natural habitats of these big cats to strengthen global cooperation and efforts for their conservation.

Although membership is offered to all 97 range countries (where these animals naturally occur) and non-range countries willing to assist big cat conservation, the IBCA became a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation once the framework agreement was ratified by five signatory nations.

As of the First Assembly of the IBCA, which took place in New Delhi on June 16, 2025, the following nations were reported to have either officially become members or were ministerial delegations who were actively taking part and reconfirming their commitment:

Initial Founding/Ratifying Members (as of early 2025):

1. India
2. Nicaragua
3. Eswatini
4. Somalia
5. Liberia

The five nations had deposited instruments of ratification, and hence, the IBCA became a full-fledged international legal entity.

Countries participating in the First Assembly and reaffirming commitment (June 2025): The First Assembly was covered by a delegation of 9 Ministerial countries, who reaffirmed the commitment of their countries to the alliance:

• Bhutan
• Cambodia
• Eswatini
• Guinea
• India
• Liberia
• Suriname
• Somalia
• Kazakhstan

It should be noted that although there are 95 “range countries,” and still many more have shown agreement or interest in accession, the formally ratified membership list is what makes up the official membership. All UN member states are still being invited to join by signing and ratifying the framework agreement through a continuous effort by the IBCA.

Significance of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) holds significant importance in the conservation and protection of major big cat species on Earth. By bringing together 97 range countries covering the natural habitats of these iconic predators, the alliance fosters global cooperation and collaboration in their conservation efforts.
• This unified approach ensures that collective actions are taken to protect these species and their habitats on a global scale, leading to the preservation of entire ecosystems.
• The IBCA’s conservation efforts extend beyond the individual species it focuses on. By safeguarding big cats, which are keystone predators, the alliance indirectly protects a vast array of other plant and animal species that coexist in their habitats.
• Healthy ecosystems act as carbon sinks, aiding in climate change mitigation, while also contributing to biodiversity conservation.

Moreover, the alliance’s commitment to species recovery and reintroduction programs, such as the Cheetah, offers hope for bringing back extinct big cat species to their natural habitats. India’s leadership in launching the IBCA inspires other nations to take similar initiatives for wildlife protection, reinforcing the significance of this alliance in preserving the world’s big cat species for future generations and the health of our planet.

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