International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Foundation
Static background & why it matters
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a landmark global initiative spearheaded by India, building upon its successful legacy in wildlife conservation, particularly Project Tiger. Launched in 2023, it aims to bring together big cat range countries and other stakeholders to foster a collaborative approach to conserve seven major big cat species worldwide. This initiative underscores India's commitment to biodiversity protection and its growing role in global environmental diplomacy.
UPSC cares about India's leadership in global environmental initiatives, particularly those related to wildlife conservation. The IBCA represents a multilateral effort to conserve big cats globally, aligning with India's foreign policy objectives and its commitment to biodiversity protection, which is a significant part of the Environment & Ecology syllabus.
- Concept
- International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
- Launch Year
- 2023
- Founding Country
- India
- Primary Goal
- Conservation of seven major big cat species globally
Static core
Acts, bodies, facts & tables
The IBCA focuses on the conservation of seven big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah. These species face various threats including habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change, necessitating a concerted global effort.
The alliance aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building, research and development, advocacy, and financial and technical support among member countries. It seeks to create a common platform for addressing conservation challenges and sharing best practices.
- Number of Species Covered
- Seven (Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, Cheetah)
- Initial Funding by India
- 100 million USD over five years
- Secretariat Location
- India
- Membership Eligibility
- All 97 big cat range countries and other interested nations/organizations
- Launch Event
- Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger
- Governing Structure
- General Assembly, Council, Secretariat
| Species | Geographical Range (General) |
|---|---|
| Tiger | Asia |
| Lion | Africa, India (Gir Forest) |
| Leopard | Africa, Asia |
| Snow Leopard | Central and South Asia's mountains |
| Puma (Cougar) | Americas |
| Jaguar | Americas |
| Cheetah | Africa, Iran, India (reintroduced) |
| Pillar | Description |
|---|---|
| Knowledge Sharing | Facilitating exchange of scientific data, best practices, and conservation strategies. |
| Capacity Building | Training and skill development for frontline forest staff and conservationists. |
| Research & Development | Promoting innovative solutions and technologies for big cat conservation. |
| Advocacy & Awareness | Raising global awareness about big cat conservation and related challenges. |
| Financial & Technical Support | Mobilizing resources and expertise for conservation projects in member countries. |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | International Relations |
| Conceptual area | Environment & Ecology |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) | Initiates/organizes |
Exam lens
Prelims framing, traps & PYQs
For Prelims, UPSC may ask about the seven big cat species covered by IBCA, the founding country, the initial financial commitment by India, the year of launch, and the location of its secretariat. Questions might also test India's role in global conservation initiatives and its connection to Project Tiger's success.
For Mains, IBCA can be linked to topics like India's environmental diplomacy and soft power, multilateral cooperation for biodiversity conservation, challenges in wildlife protection (poaching, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict), and the role of international alliances in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Candidates should be prepared to discuss the significance of India's leadership in such global initiatives and the potential impact of IBCA on global big cat populations and ecosystems.
- India-led global initiative for big cat conservation.
- Covers 7 big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, Cheetah.
- Aims for cooperation, knowledge sharing, and financial support.
- Reflects India's commitment to wildlife protection and global environmental leadership.
- Summit rescheduled to ensure broad participation from range countries, including African nations.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2023 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2021 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2020 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2014 | Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions |
Latest
Current affairs & evolution
The first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, initially scheduled, has been rescheduled, indicating ongoing organizational efforts to formalize the alliance's structure and future roadmap.
The rescheduling of the inaugural IBCA Summit highlights the meticulous planning involved in establishing a robust international alliance. Such summits are crucial for bringing together heads of state, environment ministers, and conservation experts to define the alliance's operational modalities, funding mechanisms, and priority conservation areas.
Timeline
-
International Relations
Conceptual area
-
Environment & Ecology
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2015
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2021
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Rescheduling of the First International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a global initiative launched by India to conserve seven major big cat species across their range countries. It aims to foster cooperation, knowledge sharing, and financial support for big cat conservation efforts worldwide.
See also
Dashed boxes: related topics without a notes page yet. Tap a solid box to open notes.
Past papers
2014–2023 · 6 questions
In the news
Rescheduling of the First International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a global initiative launched by India to conserve seven major big cat species across their range countries. It aims to foster cooperation, knowledge sharing, and financial support for big cat conservation efforts worldwide.
Try these PYQs
With reference to the ‘New York Declaration on Forests’. Which of the following statements are correct?
1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests.
3. It is a legally binding international declaration.
4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
5. India was one of the signatories at its inception.
Select the Correct answer using the code given below.
The correct statements about the New York Declaration on Forests are: 1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
2. It does endorse a global timeline to end the loss of forests, aiming for significant reduction by 2020 and ending deforestation by 2030.
4. It is endorsed by a multi-stakeholder group, including governments, companies (big and small), and indigenous communities. Incorrect statements:
3. The New York Declaration on Forests is not a legally binding international declaration. It's a voluntary political declaration.
5. The Declaration is currently endorsed by over 190 entities but it is not endorsed by India. Therefore, the correct answer is A. 1, 2, and 4.
With reference to an organization known as ‘Birdlife International’ which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations.
2. The concept of ‘biodiversity hotspots’ originated from this organization.
3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct: BirdLife's Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Programme aims to identify, monitor, and protect a global network of IBAs for the conservation of the world's birds and other wildlife. Statement 2 is incorrect: The British biologist Norman Myers coined the term biodiversity hotspot in 1988 as a biogeographic region characterized both by exceptional levels of plant endemism and by serious levels of habitat loss. Statement 3 is correct: One of their key activities involves identifying and designating Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), critical sites for bird conservation that also contribute significantly to overall biodiversity.
Invasive species Specialist Group' (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?
The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is a global network of scientific and policy experts on invasive species, organised under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Hence, option A is the correct answer.
If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
* The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. It classifies species into six schedules, each offering different levels of protection. * Schedule VI of the Act pertains to certain plants that are prohibited from cultivation and planting without a license. Therefore, If a plant species is listed under Schedule VI, it means a license is required for its cultivation. * The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 amended the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The amendment reduced the number of schedules from six to four, simplifying wildlife classification and protection levels. Additionally, the Act also aligned the provisions with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) by introducing a separate schedule (Sch. IV) for species covered under CITES.
‘BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes’ is managed by the -
* The BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) is managed by the World Bank. * The World Bank's Carbon Finance Unit handles the day-to-day operations of the BioCarbon Fund, which includes ISFL. * ISFL itself acknowledges the World Bank as the permanent trustee and a key supporter.
Show 3 more PYQs
With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct
GEF is an independently operating financial organization. The GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. The GEF serves as a financial mechanism for five conventions, which are - Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), - UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), - and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Consider the following statements in respect of Trade-Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):
1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. TRAFFIC is a joint initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).TRAFFIC is not a bureau under UNEP. Statement 2 is correct. TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organization (NGO) that works globally to monitor the trade in wild animals and plants. Its mission aligns with ensuring sustainable and legal wildlife trade that doesn't threaten conservation efforts.
Which one of the following launched the 'Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific'?
Nature-based solutions involve using natural processes to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, often needing dedicated financial support. ADB launched the Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific to fund nature-based solutions for climate and environmental challenges in the region.