The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a global initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023 at Mysuru, Karnataka. Its aim is to conserve seven big cat species, tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.

The alliance brings together more than 90 countries, both big cat range nations and others, to share experiences, mobilise resources, and find solutions for protecting these iconic animals. India, with its successful tiger conservation model, is leading the mission.

Why in News?
Nepal has officially joined the IBCA by signing the Framework Agreement. With species like snow leopard, tiger, and common leopard in its landscape, Nepal’s entry strengthens global collaboration for big cat protection. The country has already shown remarkable progress by nearly tripling its tiger population from 121 in 2009 to 355 in 2022.

This step marks a significant move towards ecological security and highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation in wildlife conservation.