Nepal Joins India-Led International Big Cat Alliance in Major Conservation Step
KATHMANDU — In a landmark move for global wildlife preservation, Nepal has officially become a member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), an India-led initiative dedicated to the conservation of the world’s seven largest feline species. The announcement, made by the IBCA on Saturday, marks a significant step for Nepal, which is home to three of the seven species covered by the alliance.
The formal joining was made by Nepal’s government signing the Framework Agreement for the IBCA, a multi-country coalition that brings together over 90 big cat range and non-range countries. The alliance aims to foster a platform for sharing experiences, mobilizing resources, and developing collaborative solutions to protect big cats from the threats of habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
For Nepal, a nation that has achieved remarkable success in big cat conservation, joining the IBCA is a natural extension of its environmental policies. The country is a critical habitat for the snow leopard, the common leopard, and the Bengal tiger, making its participation invaluable to the alliance. According to a statement from the IBCA, Nepal’s membership “will strengthen global collaboration for big cat conservation,” recognizing the country’s unique expertise and commitment. The alliance also extended its congratulations to the Government of Nepal, hailing the move as a “significant step towards shared ecological security.”
Nepal’s conservation efforts have garnered international praise, particularly its success in nearly tripling its tiger population. According to the latest census conducted in 2022, the number of tigers in Nepal has soared to 355, a dramatic increase from just 121 in 2009. This achievement is a testament to the nation’s robust conservation strategies, which include anti-poaching patrols, community engagement, and habitat protection.
The International Big Cat Alliance was launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, in Mysuru, Karnataka. The initiative focuses on the conservation of seven big cat species: the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. India, with its extensive experience in conservation and exemplary models for species like the tiger, lion, and snow leopard, initiated the alliance to create a unified front for big cat protection.
The IBCA is envisioned as a vital platform where big cat range countries can pool their knowledge and resources to combat shared challenges. By facilitating the exchange of best practices, scientific research, and conservation strategies, the alliance aims to ensure the long-term survival of these iconic predators. Nepal’s rich experience, especially with its snow leopard and tiger conservation programs, will provide valuable insights to other member nations, while also benefiting from the collective expertise of the alliance.
The collaboration underscores a growing global consensus on the need for international cooperation to address complex environmental issues. With Nepal’s formal entry, the International Big Cat Alliance is poised to become an even more formidable force in the worldwide effort to protect these magnificent animals, ensuring a safer future for both big cats and the ecosystems they inhabit.
