International Big Cats Alliance Launched
The Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA), a specialized global institution for preservation and conservation of major bag cats viz, Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, Snow leopard in Mysuru, Karnataka on 9 April 2023. He also inaugurated the 3-day international event ‘Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger’.
2. On International Big Cats Alliance, Prime Minister Modi said the focus will be on the conservation of the world’s 7 major big cats including tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah with countries that are home to these cats will be a part of this alliance. He further elaborated that the member countries will be able to share their experiences, help their fellow country more quickly, and lay emphasis on research, training and capacity building. He said “Together we will save these species from extinction, and create a safe and healthy ecosystem”.
3. He also released a commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger besides the publications ‘Amrit Kaal Ka Vision For Tiger Conservation’, a summary report of the 5th cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves.
4. Prime Minister Modi noted India’s unique achievements in wildlife conservation while stating “India is a country where protecting nature is a part of the culture”. He mentioned that India has only 2.4 percent of the world’s land area but it is home to 75% of the world’s tiger population and contributes toward 8 percent to known global biodiversity. He remarked “It is important for ecosystems to thrive for the wildlife to thrive” and added “Wildlife protection is not a one-country issue but a universal one”, while stressing on the need for an International Alliance. He further said that the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) is an extension of his earlier call, made in the year 2019 on Global Tiger Day, for an alliance against poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia.
5. Vietnamese delegation, led by Mr. Nguyen Trung Minh, General Director of Vietnam National Museum of Nature and comprising senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, were amongst representatives from over a dozen countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Mongolia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Suriname, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Armenia, Nigeria, Kenya etc.
Embassy of India, Hanoi
April 10, 2023
