The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially come into force as a treaty-based, inter-governmental organisation, becoming a fully functional international legal entity on January 23.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), acting as the Depository for the Framework Agreement, confirmed that five countries – the Republic of Nicaragua, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Republic of India, the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the Republic of Liberia – have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, or approval, making them the founding members of the IBCA.

What is the Big Cat Alliance?

The IBCA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, during an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. The initiative’s main objective is the conservation of seven major big cat species: the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.

In a cabinet meeting on February 29 last year, the government officially approved the establishment of the IBCA, with its headquarters based in India. The establishment of the IBCA was spearheaded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a nodal organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC). Its mission is to facilitate international collaboration and synergy in conservation efforts, consolidating successful practices and expertise for the global protection of big cats.

As of now, 27 countries, including India, have agreed to join the IBCA, along with several international and national organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation.

The membership of the IBCA is open to all UN member countries, especially those that host these species, and to non-range countries that are interested in supporting big cat conservation efforts.