IBCA Headquarters Agreement Signed: India to Host Big Cat Body
Why in the news
India has signed an agreement to host the headquarters of the International Big Cat Alliance. The pact deals with visas, special rights and protections for IBCA staff and offices, and operational procedures.
Key facts
- IBCA focus: seven big cats – tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah.
- Launch: April 2023, during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
- Funding: India set aside Rs 150 crore for 2023-24 to 2028-29 for infrastructure and operations.
- Leadership: the Director-General is appointed by India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Legal status: IBCA became a formal international body after five countries ratified its framework in September 2023.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host country | India |
| Launched | April 2023 |
| Species covered | 7 big cats |
| Budget support | Rs 150 crore (2023-24 to 2028-29) |
About IBCA
IBCA is a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation with an Assembly of Members, a Standing Committee and a Secretariat based in India. Membership is open to all UN member states, including range countries and non-range countries that support big cat conservation. The ratifying countries named by sources are India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia and Nicaragua.
Exam angle
- Headquarters: India; launch: April 2023.
- Seven species, five of them native to India.
- Budget: Rs 150 crore up to 2028-29.
- Ministry in charge of appointing the Director-General: Environment, Forest and Climate Change.