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Wildlife Conservation Efforts

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

Natural geographic separation is happening among Asiatic lion populations in Gujarat, and there is no immediate need to relocate them, says the director general of the International Big Cat Alliance.

About Asiatic Lion

  • Asiatic Lion, part of the Panthera Leo Leo subspecies, is found only in India, with a distinct belly skin fold.
  • Once spread across West Asia and India, now limited to Gir National Park, where the population increased in 2020.
  • Asiatic lions face threats from diseases, natural disasters, poaching and retaliation for livestock attacks.
  • They are classified as Endangered (IUCN), listed in CITES Appendix I, and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
  • The Asiatic Lion Conservation Project (2018-2021) aims for scientific management and community involvement.

 

About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

Details
Objective Protect and conserve 7 big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
Initial Funding ₹150 crore from the Government of India for five years, with additional funding from global agencies.
Membership Open to 96 range countries with natural big cat habitats.
Key Activities Advocacy, knowledge sharing, capacity building, eco-tourism promotion, and resource mobilization.
Governance General Assembly, elected Council, and Secretariat. Secretary General appointed by the Assembly.
Governance Framework Based on the International Solar Alliance (ISA); finalized by the International Steering Committee.
India’s Role
  • India is home to 5 of the 7 big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah.
  • India hosts about 70% of the world’s tiger population and has seen steady growth in its Asiatic lion population.

 

PYQ:

[2012] Consider the following:

  1. Black-necked crane
  2. Cheetah
  3. Flying squirrel
  4. Snow leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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