New Delhi: India has taken a historic lead in wildlife conservation by spearheading the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative dedicated to protecting seven big cat species. Russia recently agreed to join this coalition, marking a significant milestone in global wildlife collaboration.
The development came during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to India (December 4–5, 2025). Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced the alliance in April 2023, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, formally established the IBCA in March 2024. With Russia joining, the alliance now boasts 19 member countries.
What is the International Big Cat Alliance?
The IBCA is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Delhi, dedicated to the conservation of seven iconic big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. India is home to five of these species, excluding jaguar and puma. The Indian government has allocated ₹150 crore from 2023–24 to 2027–28 to support this initiative.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), six of the seven big cats are classified as vulnerable or endangered. The IBCA aims to facilitate cooperation among stakeholders, share best conservation practices, and replicate expertise across range countries.
Global Participation and Strategic Importance
IBCA membership is focused on countries that host big cat populations, totaling 95 potential nations, including Canada, China, Congo, Brazil, Iran, Nepal, Ghana, Pakistan, Russia, and the USA. Nepal is already a member, and with Russia’s agreement, the alliance strengthens its global conservation reach.
India itself is home to 75% of the world’s tiger population, a testament to the success of Project Tiger, which has doubled tiger numbers from 1,800 in 1970 to over 3,600 today. This achievement positions India as a global leader in big cat protection.
IBCA: From Proposal to Reality
The alliance allows all UN member countries to join by signing the framework agreement and issuing formal diplomatic communication (note verbale). Prime Minister Modi first proposed the idea during Global Tiger Day 2019, emphasizing international cooperation against poaching and wildlife trade. The IBCA was officially announced in Mysuru, 2023, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, and its first meeting was held in June 2025 in New Delhi, chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav. Nine countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Swaziland, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, and Kazakhstan, participated in the inaugural meeting.
The IBCA represents a landmark step in global big cat conservation, reinforcing India’s position as a world leader in wildlife protection, even ahead of nations like the USA and China.
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