Context:
Recently, Cabinet approved the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with one-time budgetary support of Rs 150 crore
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):
- An initiative launched by india in commemorating 50th anniversary of Project Tiger
- Launched in – 2023
- Objective – To ensure global cooperation for the conservation of 7 big cats species
- It is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition
- Participants – 96 big cat range countries, non-range countries interested in big cat conservation, conservation partners and related scientific organizations
- Funding –
- Provides initial support of Rs.150 crore for 5 years (2023-24 to 2027-28)
- Other contributions – Bilateral, multilateral agencies, and public sector organizations etc
- Administration – Assembly of Members, Standing Committee and Secretariat
- Framework of Agreement (statute) – Drafted largely on the pattern of the International Solar Alliance (2015)
Big Cats:
- A term used in informal speech to apply to any large species of the family Felidae
- 7 Big cats species – Lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, snow leopard, jaguar, and puma
- In India – 5 out of 7 cats except jaguar and puma are found here
- While cheetah was declared extinct in 1952, it is now reintroduced as a part of Cheetah reintroduction project
Significance of big cats and their habitats protection:
- Ecosystem balancing – By acting as top predators in the food chain
- Water security – For example, the Himalayas (habitat of Snow Leopards) are the source of many major rivers in Asia
- Climate Change Mitigation – Protects carbon stored forest landscapes
- Cultural Icons – Culturally significant with faiths and folktales built around them across the world
- Supports economy – Providing livelihood opportunities and promoting ecotourism
Read more about: Golden Tiger, Indian Leopard, Project Cheetah
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) Corbett
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam
(d) Sundarbans
Answer: (c)
