Nepal joins India-led International Big Cat Alliance
Why in the news
Nepal has joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), the India-led grouping for big cat conservation, by signing its framework agreement. One report puts the membership at 13 countries after Nepal’s entry.
Key facts
- Nepal’s tigers: 121 in 2009 to 355 in 2022.
- Species covered: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, puma.
- Launch: April 2023, at Mysuru, Karnataka, around the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
- Secretariat: New Delhi.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Leader | India |
| Legal status | Treaty-based intergovernmental organisation since 23 January 2025 |
| Nodal agency | National Tiger Conservation Authority |
| Species | Seven big cats |
About IBCA
The alliance follows the model of the International Solar Alliance, with an Assembly of Members, a Standing Committee and a Secretariat in India. Its aims include curbing illegal wildlife trade, protecting habitats, mobilising resources and reducing climate impacts on big cats.
Exam angle
- Know the seven species and the New Delhi secretariat.
- Nepal’s tiger rise from 121 to 355 is a frequent fact.