India to host International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit on June 1–2, 2026 in New Delhi

📌 Summary:

• Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the website and logo of the 1st International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026, to be held on June 1–2, 2026 in New Delhi

• The IBCA is an inter-governmental organisation that promotes international cooperation for conservation of seven big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, puma, and jaguar

• India established the IBCA in 2023 with an initial contribution of Rs 150 crore; more than 96 countries are part of the alliance

• The Summit will: (a) strengthen international partnerships for big cat conservation; (b) promote South-South cooperation; (c) showcase India's best practices in Project Tiger, Project Leopard, Project Snow Leopard, and Cheetah Reintroduction Programme

• A Biodiversity Pavilion will be set up featuring tribal art, immersive photographs, VR experiences, and India's conservation achievements

• Minister called upon big cat range countries not yet part of IBCA to join the Alliance

• India's tiger population: 3,682 (2022 census) — 75% of world's wild tigers

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Environment & Biodiversity | Wildlife conservation; IBCA; Project Tiger; South-South cooperation; India's global environmental diplomacy

📝 Prelims Facts:

• IBCA established: 2023 (India initiative); Initial corpus: Rs 150 crore

• 7 big cat species under IBCA: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, puma, jaguar

• India's tiger count (2022): 3,682 tigers — ~75% of world's wild tigers

• India ran Cheetah Reintroduction Programme (Project Cheetah) — cheetahs reintroduced from Namibia and South Africa

🔑 Key Term: International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) — An intergovernmental organisation founded in 2023 under India's leadership to promote conservation of the world's seven big cat species through international cooperation and South-South partnerships