India’s Leadership in Establishing the International Big Cat Alliance

Context: 

Recently the Cabinet approved the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance

About International Big Cat Alliance

• Goal: On April 9, 2023, India launched it with the goal of protecting the seven large cats that inhabit our planet: the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
• Participation: It is open to 97 ‘range’ countries that contain the big cats’ native habitats, as well as other interested states, international organisations, and so on.
• Collaborative forum: It will give the participating countries a forum to exchange information and experience and offer assistance with habitat restoration projects.
• Main Initiatives: Advocacy, collaboration, knowledge e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism, expert group collaborations, and financing tapping will be among its main initiatives.
• Conservation efforts: To support conservation efforts, International Big Cat Alliancewill also support currently-existing intergovernmental platforms that are species-specific. 

Organisational Structure of International Big Cat Alliance

• Composition: The International Big Cat Allianceis governed by a General Assembly made up of all member nations, an elected member nations Council, and a Secretariat.
• Appointment: On the Council’s suggestion, the General Assembly names the Secretary General of International Big Cat Alliance.
• Funding: The International Big Cat Allianceis planned to be self-sustaining through membership fees, contributions from bilateral and multilateral institutions, and the private sector after the first five years, which will be backed by India’s ‘total grant assistance’ of $100 million.

News Source: PIB

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