INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE (IBCA)

Current Context : India has extended UN-level privileges and immunities to IBCA officials under the UN (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947.

ABOUT IBCA

• Launched: April 2023, during 50 years of Project Tiger.
• Nature: Treaty-based inter-governmental organisation for big cat conservation.
• Coverage: Seven Big Cats – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, Puma.
• Membership: Open to all UN Member States – both range countries (where cats live) and non-range countries(supporters).
• Participants: 95 countries, conservation partners, NGOs, corporates.
• Implementation Agency: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under MoEFCC.
• Funding: India committed ₹150 crore (2023–2028) for corpus fund, infra, and recurring expenses.
• Members: 12 founding members (including India).
• Objective: Facilitate global collaboration, share expertise, and consolidate conservation efforts.