The Indian Government and International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) have signed a “Headquarters Agreement” to establish the IBCA headquarters and secretariat in India. The agreement provides India the privilege to host IBCA, reinforcing India’s leadership in global wildlife conservation efforts.
Key Highlights of Agreement
India to host the headquarters and secretariat of IBCA.
Provisions included:
- Visas, privileges, and immunities for IBCA secretariat personnel and premises.
- Terms regarding entry into force, supplementary agreements, and general provisions.
Budgetary Support: India to provide ₹150 crore corpus for support period of 2023-24 to 2028-29 (five years), for:
- Building infrastructure
- Creating corpus funds
- Meeting recurring expenses
About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Launched by: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger celebrations in Mysuru.
Status: Became a treaty-based intergovernmental organization in 2025.
Focus Species: Conservation of seven big cats globally:
- Tiger
- Lion
- Leopard
- Snow Leopard
- Cheetah
- Jaguar
- Puma
Objectives:
- Facilitate global collaboration among stakeholders.
- Share successful conservation practices.
- Promote sustainable future for big cats worldwide.
- Strengthen India’s leadership role in global wildlife conservation.
Implementation Agency: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Membership: Open to all UN Member States:
- Range countries where big cats naturally occur.
- Non-range countries interested in supporting big cat conservation.
IBCA as a Global Legal Entity
Formal Indian Membership: India formally joined the IBCA in September 2023.
Came into Force: The IBCA became a global legal entity after ratification by five countries:
- India
- Liberia
- Eswatini
- Somalia
- Nicaragua
Cabinet Approval: In February 2024, the Indian Cabinet approved:
- Establishment of the IBCA headquarters in India.
- Budgetary allocation of ₹150 crore.
Significance for India and World
- Strengthens India’s global leadership in big cat and wildlife conservation.
- Positions India as a hub for international collaboration on biodiversity conservation.
- Supports global efforts to protect endangered species and ecosystems.