International Big Cat Alliance, now a full-fledged, treaty-based global body

“The Ministry would like to inform that, under Article XVIII (1) of the framework agreement, five countries – Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia and Liberia – have submitted their ratifications/approvals on various dates. The ratification/approval of the agreement by the Government of Liberia on January 8, 2025, marks the 5th instrument of ratification/approval upon which the framework agreement shall take effect on January 23, 2025,” the MEA stated in its communication to Delhi-based IBCA.

Five signatory countries, including India, were required to ratify and formally deposit their instrument of ratification for the IBCA framework agreement to come into force. Liberia became a party to the framework agreement last month, the fifth to ratify the agreement along with India, Nicaragua, Eswatini and Somalia, the MEA stated.

The framework agreement entering into force marks the official start of the IBCA’s operations, activities and programmes as mandated. It can now establish its governing bodies, secretariat, and administrative structures. “It is a milestone for big cats conservation and leadership of global South,” said S P Yadav, interim head and director general of IBCA.

The IBCA was conceived by India and PM Modi launched it in April 2023 during the 50th-year celebrations of Project Tiger to secure the future of seven big cats – the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah.

India formally joined the IBCA last September. Prior to that, the Union Cabinet had approved the establishment of IBCA’s headquarters in February 2024 and cleared a one-time budgetary support of Rs 150 crore for it for the 2023-24 to 2027-28 period.

A government note said that as of now 27 countries, including India, have consented to join IBCA and several global and national organisations working on wildlife conservation have partnered with IBCA.