NEW DELHI: The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially become a full-fledged, treaty-based international organisation, dedicated to the conservation of seven big cat species worldwide.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which serves as the depository of the IBCA’s Framework Agreement, confirmed that the legal requirements for its establishment have been met. With 27 countries already joining as members, the IBCA is now a recognised international legal entity.
Launched globally in April 2023, the IBCA focuses on protecting tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and pumas. India has been chosen as the headquarters by consensus, reinforcing its leadership in global wildlife conservation.
Membership is open to all United Nations countries that either host these species or wish to support conservation efforts. Several national and international wildlife organisations have also partnered with IBCA to enhance global conservation strategies.
The Ministry of External Affairs announced that IBCA achieved international status after a minimum number of countries deposited their ratified agreements in New Delhi.
India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change highlighted IBCA’s role in fostering international collaboration, sharing best practices, and mitigating climate change impacts on big cats. “IBCA serves as a platform for synergy, enabling the exchange of expertise and strengthening protection measures for these iconic species,” the Ministry stated.
With its global reach, IBCA aims to set new conservation benchmarks while ensuring that future generations inherit a world where big cats continue to thrive.
