In the mega international event held on 9th April 2023, at Mysuru, Karnataka, to commemorate 50 years of Project Tiger, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) for conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma harbouring our planet.
India has a long-standing experience on the tiger agenda and conservation of other big cats like lion, snow leopard, leopard, now the translocation of the Cheetah to bring an extinct big cat back to its natural habitat. The alliance aims to reach out to 97 range countries covering the natural habitats of Tiger, Lion, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah. IBCA would further strengthen global cooperation and efforts to conserve the wild denizens, especially the big cats.
Chairing the Ministerial session on global status of big cat conservation Union Minister for Environment ,Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav said conserving big cats and their habitats can secure some of the most important natural ecosystems on Earth leading to natural climate change adaptation, water, and food security for millions of people, and provide livelihood and sustenance to forest communities. He said the Alliance will strengthen global efforts and partnerships on big cat conservation, while evolving a platform for convergence of knowledge and best practices, supporting existing species specific inter-governmental platforms, while also providing direct support to recovery efforts in potential range habitats.
Shri Yadav said with big cats as mascots for sustainable development and livelihood security ,India and the big cat range countries can usher in major efforts on environmental resilience and climate change mitigation, while paving a future where natural ecosystems continue to thrive, and gain centrality in economic and development policies in the “Amrit Kaal”.
The Ministers of Big Cat Range countries acknowledged and appreciated the leadership of India in big cat conservation and praised the efforts of the Prime Minister, Union Minister and senior forest officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate change. The Ministers of Big Cat Range Countries made the following remarks on the momentous event of launch of International Big Cat Alliance by the Prime Minister of India.
The Forest Minister of Bhutan in his eloquent speech accepted the leadership of India in guiding them. His passing remarks like may Goddess Chamundi shower her blessings on all of the forest fraternity and his words सब का साथ, सब का विकास, सब का विश्वास और सब का प्रयास in Hindi reverberated around the hall.
The Forest Minister of Bangladesh praised India in helping in their conservation efforts in saving their pride that is Sundermani and Chittagong tigers.
His Excellency from Cambodia, was enthusiastic in getting tigers from India and rehabilitating them in their Cardamom Hills and in their Srepok wildlife sanctuary He also spoke about the re-introduction plan prepared by them.
Minister, Wildlife, Tourism and Culture Govt of Kenya, through her video message lauded the help rendered by Govt of India and Indian Forest Service, in formulating the protocols, good managerial practices, in the conduct and evaluating of Census results of wild animals especially Lions in her country.
The Minister, Nepal, accepted the leadership of India in the field of wildlife conservation and offered all support to the alliance.
The Ethiopian Forest Minister without mincing words expressed his greatest satisfaction in being a part of an endeavour to save big cats all around the world.
His Royal Highness the Regent of Pahang was all praise for India’s efforts and wanted assistance in recovery of the tiger population in Malaysia. Besides this, Ministers and heads of delegations of Suriname, Armenia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Vietnam, Thailand and Lao also expressed their appreciation for the said initiative.
The Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav acknowledging the overwhelming support promised to work on modalities to take the launch of IBCA forward and thanked everyone for their participation.
