India urges big cat range countries to join treaty-based global alliance ahead of first summit in Delhi
“Together we can build a strong, inclusive and action-oriented platform to secure the future of these great species,” said Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, while urging the remaining range states to join the Alliance, a Delhi-based intergovernmental organization.He also launched the website and logo for the inaugural IBCA Summit, which will adopt the first global declaration on big cat conservation (the Delhi Declaration), establish a unifying framework to strengthen international cooperation, and solidify the Alliance’s role as the world’s leading platform for conservation efforts.Yadav called the summit “strategic” in that it would strengthen international partnerships, promote South-South cooperation and inspire collective action among big cat range countries. “It will also help align conservation efforts with global biodiversity and climate goals,” the minister said at the time.The alliance is an Indian brainchild, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of India’s Tiger Project, to coordinate with other countries for the conservation of seven big cats – tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars and pumas. Apart from jaguar and puma, India is home to five species of big cats.The main objective of the Alliance is to promote cooperation and synergy among stakeholders and consolidate successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve big cat conservation on a global scale.In addition to India, countries that have officially joined the organization include Russia, Cambodia, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Armenia, Ethiopia, Mongolia and Rwanda.The upcoming summit, with the theme “Save Big Cats, Save People, Save Ecosystems,” will bring together more than 400 conservationists, policymakers, scientists, multilateral agencies, financial institutions, business leaders and community representatives from around the world.
