The Indian government is working towards forming a Global Big Cat Alliance to protect endangered wild cats. On March 3, a meeting of the Wildlife Board of India was held at Gir Sanctuary, Gujarat, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Professor D.S. Srivastava, who runs the Nature Conservation Society, was invited to participate in the discussions.
Professor Srivastava stated that the meeting focused on the conservation of big cats, including tigers, leopards, lions, cheetahs, and snow leopards. He emphasized that the Big Cat Alliance will involve international cooperation. PM Modi stressed the need for strong initiatives to protect these species and engage local communities and forest dwellers in conservation efforts.
Key decisions were made regarding eco-tourism to support local livelihoods and the monitoring of wild animals outside reserve areas. Discussions also covered Project Elephant and Gharial Conservation. This meeting, held after a decade in Gujarat, is considered significant for India’s wildlife conservation strategies.
