Bengaluru: Nearly three years after its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mysuru, the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is set to hold its first key meeting in Bengaluru this Sunday. The session will act as a precursor to the international summit on big cat conservation, scheduled later this year in New Delhi, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2026–27.
IBCA’s Formation and Purpose
Though launched in April 2023, the IBCA was formally constituted only in January 2025. According to forest department sources, the Bengaluru session was chosen in recognition of Karnataka’s exemplary big cat conservation practices, which will be highlighted during the meeting.
The alliance is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition headquartered in Delhi. It currently includes 95 member countries, encompassing both big cat range nations and non-range countries interested in conservation, along with scientific research organisations, conservation partners, and business groups committed to supporting sustainable wildlife initiatives.
International Participation
Forest officials confirmed that approximately 40 delegates from 18 member nations will attend the Bengaluru session. They will deliberate on global conservation methodologies and exchange best practices to safeguard big cat species.
“Following the inaugural session in Bengaluru, the delegates will travel to Mysuru for a three-day visit to the Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves. Here, they will observe Karnataka’s Project Tiger initiatives and understand on-ground conservation strategies,” a senior forest department official said.
Significance for India’s Wildlife Leadership
The IBCA aims to unite governments, conservation experts, and businesses to ensure the protection of apex predators, including tigers, lions, leopards, pumas, jaguars, cheetahs, and snow leopards. The upcoming Bengaluru meeting is seen as a critical step in India’s leadership on global wildlife conservation ahead of the New Delhi international summit later this year.
Karnataka’s selection as the host state underscores its innovative approaches to wildlife management, particularly in protected areas, where scientific monitoring and community engagement have strengthened conservation outcomes.
Looking Ahead
The Bengaluru session is expected to set the stage for enhanced international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building initiatives for the protection of big cat species. Experts say that such collaborative platforms are essential to address habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, ensuring that global conservation goals are met.
About IBCA
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization launched by India on April 9, 2023, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. Headquartered in New Delhi, this global coalition aims to conserve seven major big cats: the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. With an initial funding commitment of ₹150 crore (~$18 million) from the Indian government, IBCA facilitates international collaboration in habitat protection, anti-poaching, and knowledge sharing among 95+ range countries. It officially became a legal international entity on January 23, 2025, after ratification by founding members.
