India to host first Big Cat Summit in June

What Happened

• India will host the inaugural summit of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in New Delhi on June 1–2, 2026, with representatives from 95 countries expected to attend — including heads of state and over 400 experts.
• The summit is expected to adopt the 'New Delhi Declaration,' which would become the first-ever international agreement devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world's seven big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah, snow leopard, puma, and jaguar.
• The declaration is expected to promote a landscape-based, transboundary cooperative approach to conserving big cat populations and their habitats, alongside commitments to strengthen anti-poaching cooperation, mobilise financial resources, and adopt a One Health approach linking wildlife, livestock, and human health.
• India's central role reflects its status as the only country that is home to five of the seven big cat species (tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah).
• The summit theme is "Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem."

Static Topic Bridges

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is an intergovernmental organisation launched by India in April 2023 to lead global conservation efforts for seven big cat species. The IBCA was formally launched by the Prime Minister at Mysuru, Karnataka on April 9, 2023, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of IBCA with headquarters in New Delhi and a one-time budgetary support of ₹150 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2027-28. As of 2025, 13 countries have become formal members. The alliance facilitates international collaboration in habitat protection, anti-poaching operations, knowledge sharing, and capacity building across 95+ range countries where the seven big cats are found. IBCA's secretariat is located in New Delhi.

Project Tiger and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

Project Tiger is India's flagship wildlife conservation programme launched in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It was established to protect the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) from extinction by creating dedicated tiger reserves with core-buffer zones. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was established in 2005 under the Wildlife Protection Act (Amendment) 2006 as a statutory body to oversee tiger conservation, approve reserve management plans, and ensure habitat integrity. India's tiger population has grown from approximately 1,827 (2014 census) to 3,682 (2022 census, released 2023) — representing the highest tiger count in any single country and making India home to approximately 75% of the world's wild tigers. As of 2024, India has 55 notified tiger reserves covering over 78,000 sq km.

Cheetah Reintroduction in India

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) was declared extinct in India in 1952. Under Project Cheetah, India reintroduced African cheetahs from Namibia (September 2022) and South Africa (February 2023) at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh — marking the first intercontinental translocation of a big cat species. The initiative is guided by the Cheetah Action Plan 2022 developed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and approved by the Supreme Court. As of 2025, the cheetah population at Kuno is being managed with the objective of establishing a self-sustaining wild population. The IUCN Red List classifies the cheetah as Vulnerable (population declining); estimated global wild population: ~7,000.

Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 and Protected Area Network

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is the primary legislation governing wildlife conservation in India. It established categories of protected areas: National Parks (highest protection, no human habitation or use), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves. The Act also provides for schedules of protected species (Schedule I species have the highest protection, including all big cats). The WPA was significantly amended in 1991, 2006 (establishing NTCA), and 2022 (strengthening provisions on invasive species, trade, and enforcement). Big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard — are all Schedule I species under WPA.

Key Facts & Data

• Seven big cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar — inhabit 95 countries collectively
• India is the only country home to five of the seven big cat species
• India's tiger population: 3,682 (2022 census) — ~75% of global wild tigers
• India has 55 tiger reserves as of 2024
• IBCA launched: April 9, 2023, Mysuru; budget: ₹150 crore
• Summit: New Delhi, June 1–2, 2026; theme: "Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem"
• New Delhi Declaration: would be the first-ever exclusive international agreement on seven big cats
• Participating countries: 95 range countries; 400+ experts expected
• Snow leopard: found in 12 countries across Central and South Asia; India's Project Snow Leopard (2009)
• Asiatic Lion: found only in Gir National Park, Gujarat; IUCN Vulnerable; population ~674 (2020 census)
• All seven big cats face pressures from habitat loss, prey depletion, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal trade