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International Big Cat Alliance
India is drafting the New Delhi Declaration ahead of the Global Big Cat Summit by the International Big Cat Alliance. The declaration first proposed international declaration on big cat conservation.
International Big Cat Alliance:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Nature | IBCA is a multi-country and multi-agency coalition for big cat conservation. |
| Big Cats Covered | IBCA covers 7 big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. |
| Launch | IBCA has been initiated by India in April 2023, marking 50 years of Project Tiger. |
| Vision | IBCA provides for a global ecosystem where big cats thrive through international collaboration, scientific research, and community involvement. |
| Headquarters | The headquarters of IBCA is in New Delhi, India. |
| Partnership | IBCA brings together 97 range countries, non-range countries, conservation partners, and scientific organisations. |
| Objectives | IBCA provides for cooperation in conservation of 7 big cats, knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, advocacy, finance, and research support. |
| Membership | Membership is open to all UN member states, including range and non-range countries. |
| Member Countries | IBCA currently has 22 member countries, including India, Bhutan, Nepal, Russia, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Malaysia. |
| Ratified Members | Ratified members comprise India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, and Liberia. |
| Observers | Observer countries comprise Kazakhstan, Namibia, and Thailand. |
| Recent Members | Nepal has joined in August 2025 and Russia has joined in December 2025. |
| Structure | IBCA comprises a General Assembly, a Standing Committee, and a Secretariat headed by a Director-General. |
| Protection Status | Tiger and Asiatic lion are listed as Endangered; leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah are listed as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List. |
| Indian Legal Status | Tiger, Asiatic lion, leopard, and snow leopard are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, while cheetah is listed under Schedule II with special provisions for reintroduction. |
| CITES Status | Tiger, Asiatic lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah are listed under CITES Appendix I. |
| Global Big Cat Summit | The Global Big Cat Summit 2026 will be convened on June 1, 2026, in New Delhi. |
| Summit Aim | The summit provides for habitat connectivity, wildlife crime prevention, financial mobilisation, and an integrated One Health approach. |
| New Delhi Declaration | The New Delhi Declaration will be adopted as the first international declaration on all 7 big cats. |
| India’s Partnerships | India collaborates with African nations for cheetah reintroduction and with Cambodia for tiger translocation. |