The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is an intergovernmental initiative dedicated to the conservation of seven majestic big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. This alliance emphasizes international collaboration aimed at protecting these species and preserving their natural habitats.
IBCA was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. This launch marked a significant step towards enhancing conservation efforts for these iconic species.
The initial five nations that ratified the IBCA agreement include India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, and Nicaragua. This ratification granted the alliance a global legal status, enabling broader international cooperation for big cat conservation.
India plays a pivotal role in the IBCA as the host country for its headquarters and secretariat. The country's involvement ensures that it can offer essential institutional and financial support to facilitate the operations of the alliance.
While specific city details are not mentioned, it is confirmed that the IBCA headquarters will be established in India, aligning with the formal agreement made with the Government of India.
The Indian government has pledged ₹150 crore over a five-year period (from 2023–24 to 2028–29) to fund infrastructure, operational expenses, and the establishment of a financial corpus for the alliance.
The agreement encompasses various legal privileges related to visas, along with immunities for the IBCA secretariat and its personnel, which are crucial for maintaining effective international operations.
India officially became a member of the IBCA in September 2023 after ratifying the framework agreement, solidifying its commitment to global big cat conservation efforts.
Following the legal establishment of the alliance, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the IBCA headquarters in India along with the ₹150 crore budget allocation in February 2024.
The agreement for the headquarters was signed by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), alongside S.P. Yadav, the Director General of IBCA, marking a significant milestone in the operationalization of the alliance.
Q1. What is the main objective of the IBCA?
Answer: The primary goal of the IBCA is to conserve seven big cat species through international collaboration, ensuring their protection and habitat conservation.
Q2. How much financial support has India committed to IBCA?
Answer: India has committed ₹150 crore over five years to support the infrastructure and operational needs of the IBCA.
Q3. When was the IBCA launched?
Answer: The IBCA was launched in April 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the celebration of Project Tiger's 50th anniversary.
Q4. Which countries were the first to ratify the IBCA agreement?
Answer: The first five countries to ratify the IBCA agreement are India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, and Nicaragua.
Q5. What legal privileges are granted to the IBCA?
Answer: The agreement provides for various legal privileges, including visas and immunities for its secretariat and personnel to facilitate smooth operations.
Question 1: When was the International Big Cat Alliance launched?
A) April 2022
B) April 2023
C) September 2023
D) February 2024
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which of the following countries is NOT a founding member of IBCA?
A) Liberia
B) Somalia
C) Brazil
D) Eswatini
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: How much funding has India allocated for IBCA?
A) ₹100 crore
B) ₹150 crore
C) ₹200 crore
D) ₹50 crore
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: Who signed the headquarters agreement for IBCA on behalf of India?
A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
B) P. Kumaran
C) S.P. Yadav
D) Ministry of Environment
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: Where will the IBCA headquarters be located?
A) USA
B) India
C) Africa
D) Russia
Correct Answer: B
Question 6: What species does the IBCA focus on conserving?
A) Only tigers
B) Seven big cat species
C) All wild animals
D) Only lions and leopards
Correct Answer: B
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