India also invited all big cat range countries to the Global Big Cats Summit, to be hosted by India, in New Delhi in 2026.
About IBCA
- Genesis: Launched in 2023 by India for conservation of seven big cat species - tigers, lions, snow leopards, cheetahs, leopards, pumas and jaguars.
- Organizational Nature: IBCA is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition comprising of 95 big cat range countries, non-range countries, conservation partners, scientific organizations, business groups and corporates with an interest in big cat conservation.
- Secretariat: New Delhi, India.
- Members: 18 member countries and three observer countries.
- All UN member countries are eligible to become member.
- Governance: IBCAAssembly is the apex decision-making body comprising representatives from each member country.
Big Cats
- Out of seven, five big cats viz. Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah are found in India.
- All big cats live solitary lives except Lions, which live in groups, called prides.
- Ecological Significance: They are apex predators vital to maintaining ecological balance and ecosystem health.
- These are keystone species which prevents overgrazing, protecting plantlife, seed dispersal and forest regeneration.
- Healthy big cat habitats are vital carbon sinks and help combat climate change.
- These are flagship species whose conservation provide protection to many other species sharing the same habitat.
- Threats: habitat loss from deforestation, urbanization, and land use changes, leading to increased human-wildlife conflicts.
