- India is officially designated as the headquarters and secretariat of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
- The IBCA is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization, launched by India in April 2023 on the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
- It focuses on the conservation of seven big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
- The IBCA became a global legal entity after ratification by India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, and Nicaragua. India joined in September 2023.
- Membership is open to all UN member states, including range and non-range countries interested in big cat conservation.
- The IBCA’s governance structure includes an Assembly of Members, a Standing Committee, and the Secretariat in India.
- India will provide Rs 150 crore in budgetary support to the IBCA over five years (2023-24 to 2028-29) for infrastructure, corpus, and recurring expenses.
- The agreement covers visas, privileges, and immunities for the IBCA secretariat and personnel.
- The cabinet approved the establishment of the IBCA headquarters and budgetary support in February 2024.
- The IBCA headquarters agreement was signed on March 28. P Kumaran, Secretary (East), MEA, and S P Yadav, Director General, IBCA, signed the agreement.
Why it’s in the news:
- This formal designation reinforces India’s leadership role in global big cat conservation.
- The financial commitment demonstrates India’s dedication to the IBCA’s objectives.
- The agreement’s provisions will facilitate the IBCA’s operations and effectiveness as an international organization.