The Union Environment Ministry plans to set up and coordinate an International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), along the lines of the International Solar Alliance, an India-headquartered initiative to promote solar installations globally. The Union Cabinet approved the proposal on February 29.
“India’s global leadership in tiger conservation has been recognised. The IBCA, which will be headquartered in India and to which India has already committed ₹150 crore [for five years] will lead initiatives to disseminate good practices in conserving big cats,” Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said in a press briefing on Friday.
Globally, the ‘big cats’ include the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah. Barring the puma and jaguar, the rest are found in India, with the latest – the cheetah – having been translocated under an experimental programme from Africa to Kuno in Madhya Pradesh.
