Context
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India has set to launch International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a mega global alliance under its leadership to protect big cats and assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of $100 million (over Rs 800 crore)
About International Big Cat Alliance
- The proposed International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) will work towards the protection and conservation of the seven major big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah.
- Membership to the alliance will be open to 97 “range” countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organisations, etc.
- Since India got the cheetahs, India is the only country in the world to have tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards and cheetahs in the wild.
- India have all the big cats, except the pumas and jaguars, today.
- So it is only befitting that India takes the lead to bring together all big cat range countries under an UN-like umbrella.
- The alliance’s purpose is to provide a platform for “dissemination of information on benchmarked practices, capacity building, resources repository, research and development, awareness creation”, etc., on the protection and conservation of big cats.
- Its major activities will include “advocacy, partnership, knowledge e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism, partnerships between expert groups and finance tapping”.
Governance structure
- The IBCA’s governance structure will comprise a General Assembly consisting of all member countries, a council of at least seven but not more than 15 member countries elected by the General Assembly for a term of 5 years, and a Secretariat.
- Upon the recommendation of the Council, the General Assembly will appoint the IBCA Secretary General for a specific term.
- After the first five years, which will be supported by India’s “total grant assistance” of $100 million, the IBCA is expected to sustain itself through membership fees, and contributions from bilateral and multilateral institutions and the private sector.
- However, the proposed move has invited criticism, too.
Back to Basics
Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance
- In 2017, the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA) was created to:
- Speak with a unified voice on issues affecting big cats, such as the exotic pet trade, use of big cats for entertainment, and other areas of concern.
- Support and strengthen both member sanctuaries and those interested in obtaining BCSA membership, with the goal of advancing standards of animal care.
- Promote professional development through an annual workshop focused on animal care and welfare, veterinary issues, operations, and finances.
- Foster collaboration, relationships, and communication within the big cat sanctuary community.
Source: IE
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