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ITEC Executive Course in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve
The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, administered by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, aims to enhance and foster mutual cooperation among developing countries through the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and best practices. The primary objectives of the ITEC courses are to offer training and capacity building in various fields, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of partner nations. Additionally, the program seeks to promote cultural exchange and strengthen bilateral relationships, paving the way for sustainable development and global cooperation.
The International Big Cat Alliance, a treaty-based, intergovernmental, international organization; in collaboration with Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, successfully conducted the ITEC Executive course on Capacity building for Wildlife and Conservation Practitioners from February 10 to 16, 2025, in Kaziranga. Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a true gem for biodiversity. It is home to the largest population of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceroses, making it a critical site for wildlife conservation. With its diverse ecosystems, including tigers, elephants, and countless bird species, Kaziranga is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes.
The course was attended by 44 officials from 27 countries across the globe namely Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Niger, Romanis, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Vietnam. The course was first of its kind ITEC course conducted entirely in a Protected Area and World Natural Heritage Site in India. With a combination of classroom and interactive field sessions with expert inputs from eminent conservationists; the course covered a wide array of topics on Big Cat Conservation challenges & efforts in India and other big cat range countries.
View GalleryInternational Leopard Day
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organized a webinar to celebrate International Leopard Day on May 3, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM IST. The theme of the webinar was “Management Issues in Addressing the Challenges of Leopard Conservation.” IBCA invited eight esteemed speakers to share their work and experiences on leopard conservation. The event was initiated by the Interim Director General of IBCA, Dr. S.P. Yadav, who delivered the welcome address. Mr. Sushil Kumar Awasthi dived into the best practices for Leopard conservation in India, while Dr. Mohammad Farhadinia shed light on the current status of leopards in West and Central Asia. Ms. Maria Okulova shared her insights on the ongoing efforts to preserve the endangered Amur leopard population. Dr. Pradeep Malik offered a unique perspective on the crucial role of Animal Health Professionals in leopard conservation and management. We also learned from Dr. Saket Badola about effectively managing human-leopard conflicts in Uttarakhand. Furthermore, we gained valuable knowledge from Mr. Nityanand Srivastava's presentation on leopard conservation in Gujarat and Mr. Sunil Limaye's fascinating insights into the human-leopard interface in Borivali National Park, Mumbai. Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Program Director at IBCA, delivered the closing remarks and Dr. Kausik Banerjee, Program Lead at IBCA, served as the webinar moderator.
International Day for Biological Diversity
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organized a webinar to celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, 2024, from 4 PM to 5 PM IST. The theme of the webinar was “Big Cats & Biodiversity: Shared Future.” IBCA invited five esteemed speakers to share their work and experiences on biodiversity conservation. The event was initiated by the Interim Director General of IBCA, Dr. S.P. Yadav, who delivered the welcome address. Our first speaker, Mr. Subhash Malkhere, shared a fascinating glimpse into the world of Tiger and Leopard conservation in Karnataka, highlighting the unique challenges involved. Dr. Kaustabh Sharma provided valuable insights into Snow leopard conservation and its relation to climate adaptation, while Dr. Ruchi Pant explored the intersection of Snow Leopard and Community Conservation in the Indian Himalayan Range. Prof Matt Heyward delved into the intriguing topic of Intergenerational Inequity with Nature; Dr. Valeria Boron talked about her experience with Jaguar Conservation in Latin America. Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Program Director at IBCA, delivered the closing remarks and Dr. Kausik Banerjee, Program Lead at IBCA, served as the webinar moderator.
Cougar Day
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organized a webinar to celebrate Cougar Day on June 12, 2024, from 7 PM to 8 PM IST. The theme of the webinar was “Cougar Conservation: Challenges and Opportunities” IBCA invited three esteemed speakers to share their work and experiences on cougar conservation. The event was initiated by the Interim Director General of IBCA, Dr. S.P. Yadav, who delivered the welcome address. During the event, Mr. Brent Lyies shared exciting updates about the initiatives of the Mountain Lion Foundation. Dr. Alys Granodos captivated the audience with her insights on optimizing puma conservation in California and Patagonia under the Bay Area Puma Project. Additionally, Dr. Seth Riley delved into the conservation challenges and opportunities for mountain lions in urban California, sparking a thought-provoking discussion. Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Program Director at IBCA, delivered the closing remarks and Dr. Kausik Banerjee, Program Lead at IBCA, served as the webinar moderator.
The World Lion Day
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organized a webinar to celebrate Lion Day on August 10, 2024, from
11:30 AM to 01:00 PM IST. This webinar featured leading experts discussing lion conservation efforts, the
current status of lion populations & strategies to protect them. The event was initiated by the Interim
Director General of IBCA, Dr. S.P. Yadav, who delivered the welcome address. The webinar was chaired by Mr.
Praveen Garg, President, Mobius Foundation who delivered his thoughts on the significance of lion
conservation. Professor Matt Hayward shared insights from his extensive experience in the field of
prey-predator dynamics. Dr. Dennis Ikanda provided an overview of his ongoing research on lion conservation
and management in Kenya. Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Program Director at IBCA, delivered the closing remarks and
Dr. Kausik Banerjee, Program Lead at IBCA, served as the webinar moderator.
International Snow Leopard Day
On the auspicious occasion of International Snow Leopard Day, the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organised a webinar on 23rd October, 2024 with the theme "High-Altitude Guardians: Challenges and Conservation Strategies for Snow Leopards” by hosting wildlife conservation experts to discuss the crucial role of snow leopards in high-altitude ecosystems, the challenges they face, and the innovative strategies needed for safeguarding the species and their landscapes. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Tamali Mondal, Program Associate & Mr. Aditya Bisht, Program Associate, IBCA.
Webinar on International Leopard Day
The International Leopard Day webinar commenced with a welcome address by Dr Kausik Banerjee, Lead Specialist, IBCA who set the tone for the discussions ahead. He emphasized the significance of dedicating this day to leopards- International Leopard Day, observed annually on May 3, was officially established in March 2023 during the inaugural Global Leopard Conference.
In the webinar, Dr. Andrew Kittle, The Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Sri Lanka highlighted efforts through Peak Ridge & Elbedda Ridge corridors—blending community, habitat, and predator conservation.
Dr Igor from Persian Leopard Group stressed urgent action on Persian leopard conservation as fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remain, with key recovery potential in the Caucasus & Zagros Mountains. Connectivity is critical and Only 30% of core habitats are occupied by Persian Leopards.
0nly 319 Javan leopards remain in the wild. Dr. Erwin Wilianto Sintas, Indonesia, in the International Leopard Day webinar, highlighted the urgent need for action: just 5 of 29 suitable landscapes can support viable populations. Surveys & shared strategies are key to saving this critically endangered. Only 40–70 Arabian leopards remain in the wild, with over 98% of their habitat lost. In the webinar, Dr. Gareth Mann from Panthera highlighted steps for recovery of leopards: captive breeding, new facilities, and reintroduction plans under Saudi Arabia’s initiative. Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Director, Program, IBCA expressed heartfelt gratitude to leopard conservationists worldwide for their tireless efforts. He reflected on the day’s rich discussions, which highlighted both the beauty and vulnerability of leopards, from the forests of Russia to the dry landscapes of Saudi Arabia and the tea gardens of Sri Lanka. Concluding with a powerful message, he said, ‘The leopard may not roar like other big cats, but its loss will echo across the wild.’
