Frequently Asked Questions

IBCA is a Treaty Based Inter-Governmental Organisation with headquarters in India.

IBCA is established with a Mission and Vision to provide platform for partnership and cooperation among big cat range countries so as to ensure a viable population of seven big cats of the world, viz Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Snow-Leopard, Jaguar, Puma and Cheetah in their habitat.

The primary objective of IBCA is to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve a common goal of conservation of big cats at global level. This unified approach, bolstered by financial support, aims to bolster the conservation agenda, halt the decline in big cat populations, and biodiversity conservation for a liveable planet.

There is no membership fee for joining/becoming member of the IBCA.

The Countries can express their willingness to join IBCA through Note Verbale. Such Countries will become the member of IBCA by signing and depositing the Framework Agreement with Ministry of External Affairs, Republic of India.

The Framework Agreement is an intent of the country to become member of IBCA.

As on 2nd December, 2024 five countries namely, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, India and Liberia have signed Framework Agreement.

It is open for signature to countries as no last date has been prescribed for signing the Framework Agreement for becoming a member of IBCA.

No deadline has been given for signature; therefore, it is open for signature of the countries.

As provided under Article XVIII of the Framework Agreement, it will enter into force on the fifteenth (15th) day after the date of deposit of the fifth (5th) instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval, including that of the Republic of India.

As on date 2nd December, 2024, the Framework Agreement has not yet come into force as ratification, acceptance or approval from four countries, except India, have not been received.

As on date 2nd December, 2024, 26 countries have consented to be member of the International Big Cat Alliance. They are: Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Egypt, Mongolia, Brazil, Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Guatemala, Guinea, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Liberia, Tajikistan, El-Salvador, Rwanda and Venezuela.

Once the agreement is signed with ratification, acceptance or approval and is conveyed through a Note Verbale, the country becomes a member of IBCA. Till such time, the country is treated as signatory country.

Range Countries are the countries that have the natural habitat of big cats harbouring their population in the wild.

All the UN member countries are eligible to become the member of IBCA.

Organizations that help IBCA to achieve its objectives can become partner organizations. As of now, the following organizations have consented to partner with IBCA:

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Switzerland
• Science and Conservation International Snow Leopard Trust, Kyrgyzstan
• Global Tiger Forum, India
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome
• UNWTO, Madrid
• Amur Tiger Centre, Russia
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – International
• World Customs Organization (WCO), Brussels
• UNDP, Nature Hub Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, New York

Any organisation which expresses its intent to join, must submit a written request to IBCA, which will be placed before the Assembly for approval. Once the Assembly approves, the organisation would be granted the status Partner Organisation of IBCA. United Nations including its organs/agencies are strategic partners of IBCA. The Partner Organisations can participate in the Assembly with no voting rights.

Signatory countries who have not deposited instruments of ratification, acceptance of approval. Other countries which have submitted an application to be an observer and International Organisations and non-governmental organisations acting in the field of conservation.

The meeting of Assembly of IBCA will be held at least once in two years.

The meeting of the Focal Points can be held as per the requirement of IBCA.

IBCA is a potent tool for cooperation among countries for mutual benefit in furthering the conservation agenda of big cats. The IBCA has a multipronged approach in broad basing and establishing linkages in several areas and help in knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, advocacy, finance and resources support, research and technical support, education and awareness.

The Government of Republic of India has committed Rs.150 crore (USD 18 Million) to IBCA for five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28. The IBCA will augment its Corpus by taking financial support from the public sector, private sector, bilateral and multilateral organisations, non-profit organisations and national and international financial institutions to make the organisation self-sustainable.