INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE

INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE

NEWS: Recently, the IBCA, a treaty-based intergovernmental organization launched by India to conserve the seven big cats, came into force.

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

On January 23, 2025, the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), an initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023, officially became a treaty-based intergovernmental organization.

  • The IBCA framework agreement has now come into force, enabling it to begin its formal operations, programs, and governance activities.
  • Under the agreement, India has been designated as the depository, meaning that it will be responsible for holding the instruments of ratification, approval, or accession from countries that decide to become parties to the agreement.

 

Formation and Membership Details

Establishment of IBCA

  • IBCA was officially launched on April 9, 2023, in Mysuru, Karnataka, to mark the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
  • The primary goal of IBCA is to strengthen global cooperation for the conservation of seven big cats:
    • Lion (Panthera leo)
    • Tiger (Panthera tigris)
    • Leopard (Panthera pardus)
    • Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
    • Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
    • Jaguar (Panthera onca)
    • Puma (Puma concolor)

 

 

Membership and Ratification

  • A total of 27 countries, including India, have consented to join IBCA.
  • For the agreement to come into force, at least five signatory countries had to ratify the framework agreement and formally deposit their instruments of ratification.
  • The five countries that ratified the agreement, enabling it to take effect, are:
    1. India
    2. Liberia
    3. Nicaragua
    4. Eswatini
    5. Somalia

 

Categories of Countries Involved in IBCA

IBCA membership includes a diverse set of nations and organizations:

  1. Range Countries – These are nations where at least one of the seven big cats is naturally found.
  2. Non-Range Countries – These are countries that do not have big cats in their native wildlife but are interested in contributing to their conservation.
  3. Conservation Partners & Scientific Organizations – Various international and national organizations, research institutions, and conservation groups dedicated to big cat protection.

 

India’s Role and Financial Commitment

India’s Formal Participation in IBCA

  • India formally joined IBCA in September 2024, following the necessary legal approvals.
  • Before this, in February 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the IBCA headquarters and endorsed a financial commitment.

 

Financial Support by India

  • The Indian government has allocated a one-time budgetary support of ₹150 crore to IBCA for its operations during the 2023-24 to 2027-28 period.

 

Details of the Seven Big Cats Covered Under IBCA

Lion (Panthera leo)

  • Geographical Distribution: Found primarily in Africa and Asia.
  • Asiatic Lion Habitat: India is home to the only surviving population of Asiatic lions, found in Gujarat’s Gir Forest.
  • Conservation Initiatives:

·         Project Lion (2020): Launched by the Indian government to protect and expand the population of Asiatic lions.

·         World Lion Day: Celebrated on August 10 each year to raise awareness about lion conservation.

Leopard (Panthera pardus)

  • Global Presence: Leopards are found in both Asia and Africa and are highly adaptable to diverse environments.
  • Notable Features: Leopards are smaller than other big cats, are primarily nocturnal, and are known for their stealth and agility.
  • Population in India:

·         2018: 12,852 leopards recorded.

·         2022: 13,784 leopards recorded, indicating a growth in population (as per the "Status of Leopards in India, 2022" report).

 

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

  • Habitat Range: Found in the high-altitude regions of 12 Asian countries, including India (Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh).
  • Population in India: Estimated at 718 individuals (SPAI, 2024 Report).

 

Tiger (Panthera tigris)

  • India’s Role: India is home to over 70% of the world’s wild tiger population.
  • Tiger Population in India (2022 estimate): 3,167 individuals.
  • Conservation Efforts:

·         Project Tiger (1973): Launched as a centrally sponsored scheme to protect tigers in their natural habitat.

·         Initially covered nine tiger reserves across states like Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

 

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

  • Historical Context: India was home to the Asiatic cheetah, which is now nearly extinct in the country.
  • Current Conservation Efforts:

·         Project Cheetah (2022): Launched for the reintroduction of African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

  • IUCN Status:

·         Asiatic Cheetah: Critically Endangered (found only in Iran).

·         African Cheetah: Vulnerable.

 

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

  • Geographical Presence: Native to South America, not found in India.
  • Cultural Significance: The jaguar was a sacred symbol in Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
  • Melanistic Jaguars: Also known as black panthers due to their dark pigmentation.

Puma (Puma concolor)

  • Common Names: Also known as Cougar, Mountain Lion, or Panther.
  • Geographical Range: Found across North and South America, from Canada to the Southern Andes.
  • India: Not a native species.

 

Important National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

  • Established in 1936, making it India’s first national park.
  • Project Tiger was launched here in 1973.

 

Sunderban National Park, West Bengal

  • A UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the world.
  • Famous for:

·         Royal Bengal Tiger

·         Other wildlife: Fishing cats, macaques, pangolins, wild boars, and leopard cats.

 

Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

  • Declared as India’s 57th Tiger Reserve in December 2024.
  • Total Area: 1,271.4 sq km (Core: 763.8 sq km, Buffer: 507.6 sq km).
  • Madhya Pradesh now has eight tiger reserves.

 

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

  • Notable for having the highest density of Bengal tigers in India.
  • A major hotspot for tiger tourism and conservation research.

 

Significance of IBCA for Global Conservation

  1. Encourages international cooperation for big cat conservation.
  2. Promotes knowledge exchange and scientific research on big cats.
  3. Prevents poaching, illegal trade, and habitat destruction through coordinated efforts.
  4. Ensures financial and logistical support for conservation initiatives worldwide.

The establishment of IBCA represents a major step in international wildlife conservation, with India playing a leadership role in protecting big cats on a global scale.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/knowledge-nugget-upsc-international-big-cat-alliance-9821088/