INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE (IBCA): ENVIRONMENT
NEWS: India formally joins International Big Cat
Alliance
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS ?
In April 2023, PM Narendra Modi had launched the IBCA
with an aim to secure the future of big cats and their landscapes.
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):
Launched
by: India, on the 50th
anniversary of Project Tiger
Year: 2023
Objective: Global cooperation for conservation of 7 big cat
species
Structure: A multi-country, multi-agency coalition
Participants: 96 big cat range
countries, non-range countries, conservation partners, scientific organizations
Funding :
Administration :
Big Cats :
Refers to large
species of the Felidae family
7 Species: Lion, tiger,
leopard, cheetah, snow leopard, jaguar, and puma
In India: 5 out of 7
species, excluding jaguar and puma
Cheetah Status: Declared extinct
in 1952, reintroduced through Cheetah Reintroduction Project
Significance of Big
Cats & Habitat Protection
·
Ecosystem
Balance: Act as top predators
·
Water
Security: Habitats like the Himalayas (Snow Leopard)
source many rivers
·
Climate
Change Mitigation: Protect carbon-storing forest landscapes
·
Cultural
Importance: Significant in faiths, folklore globally
·
Economic
Support: Promotes ecotourism and livelihoods