Context
The Government of India has spearheaded the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to create a global platform for the protection of seven major big cat species. While 24 countries have joined (including Saudi Arabia), recent reports suggest that China is unlikely to participate, despite being a range country for the Amur (Siberian) tiger.
1. The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
- Launch: The IBCA was established by Government of India, through the nodal organisation viz., National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Objective: To provide a platform for the dissemination of information on benchmarked practices, capacity building, and financial support for the conservation of big cats.
- Focus Species: The alliance focuses on seven big cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
- Structure: It is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 96 range countries, non-range countries interested in conservation, and international organizations.
- Headquarters: India will host the IBCA headquarters and has committed initial funding of $100 million over five years.
2. Basic Inputs: The Seven Big Cats
| Big Cat | IUCN status | Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 |
| Tiger (Panthera tigris) | Endangered | Schedule 1 |
| Lion (Panthera leo) | Vulnerable | Schedule 1 |
| Leopard (Panthera pardus) | Vulnerable | Schedule 1 |
| Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) | Vulnerable | Schedule 1 |
| Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) | Vulnerable | Schedule 1 |
| Jaguar (Panthera onca) | Near Threatened | N.A/Not found in India |
| Puma (Puma concolor) | Least Concern | N.A/Not found in India |
3. About Amur Tiger
- Amur Tigers are mainly found in: Russia and China.
- Small populations survive in the Sikhote-Alin mountain region and nearby forests. Historically, they were also found in Korea and parts of Mongolia.
- The Amur Tiger is larger and lighter-colored than the Bengal Tiger.
- Can tolerate temperatures below −30°C.
4. Other Conservation Efforts in India -Chronology Wise
- Project Tiger (1973) > Project Elephant (1992) > Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project (2004) > Project Snow Leopard (2009) > Project Cheetah (2022).
- Snow Leopard conservation breeding programme is undertaken at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, and West Bengal.
Q. With reference to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), consider the following statements:
1. It is a global initiative launched by India to focus on the conservation of all species belonging to the family Felidae.
2. India is the only country in the world to have the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Cheetah in the wild.
3. The alliance includes species like the Jaguar and Puma, which are not naturally found in India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Correct Answer: B) 2 and 3 only
• Explanation:
• Statement 1 is incorrect: because it focuses on seven specific big cats, not all Felidae (which would include small cats like the desert cat, caracal, etc.).
• Statement 2 is correct: as India has the native big four and has reintroduced the Cheetah.
• Statement 3 is correct: Jaguars and Pumas are exclusive to the Americas.
