Big Cat Summit in New Delhi postponed

New Delhi ( Vivek Ojha ) : In the wake of concerns over the Ebola virus, India has postponed the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) summit that was scheduled in New Delhi on June 1. The summit was expected to have significant representation from African countries. The First IBCA Summit was scheduled in conjunction with the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV), as several African countries host big cats and are important partners in global efforts towards conservation, ecological sustainability and biodiversity protection.

About International Big Cat Alliance:

IBCA is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition comprising of 95 big cat range countries, non-range countries with an interest in big cat conservation, conservation partners, scientific organizations engaged in big cat research, as well as business groups and corporates committed to supporting big cat conservation efforts. The primary objective of IBCA is to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise into a centralized repository.

This unified approach, bolstered by financial support, aims to bolster the conservation agenda, halt the decline in big cat populations, and reverse current trends. IBCA seeks to lead by example, bringing together range countries and other stakeholders onto a common platform to champion the cause of big cat conservation on a global scale.

Why IBA's establishment is important:

Establishment of IBCA is, therefore, crucial since it aims to unite big cat range countries, non-range countries interested in conservation, conservation partners, scientific organizations, and business groups willing to support big cat conservation. Overall, IBCA has been envisaged to play a central role in global big cat conservation efforts, providing leadership, expertise, and coordination to address pressing environmental challenges and promote the sustainable management of natural resources in big cat range countries. Its framework encompasses scientific research, policy advocacy, capacity building, and collaborative partnerships to achieve big cat conservation goals at local, national, and global scales.

Focus Species under IBA:

The initiative focuses on the conservation of seven big cat species: the Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Snow Leopards, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma. Five of these—tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah—are found in India, excluding the puma and jaguar.

Member Countries: Currently, 4 countries (India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, and Somalia) are its members. The Union Cabinet allocated a one-time budgetary support of Rs 150 crore for the IBCA for five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28. India has formalized its role as the headquarters and secretariat for the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).