Context: At COP30 in Belém (Brazil), India announced that it will host the Global Big Cats Summit in New Delhi in 2026.
The summit will be held under the framework of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) — a global initiative led by India to protect the world’s big cat species.
India’s Big Cat Landscape
1. Species Diversity
India is home to five of the seven big cat species recognised by IBCA:
- Tiger
- Asiatic Lion
- Leopard
- Snow Leopard
- Cheetah
(Jaguar and Puma are not native to India.)
2. Tigers
- India hosts 3,682 tigers (2024 estimate) — 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.
- Madhya Pradesh leads with 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka and Uttarakhand.
- India achieved its global Tx2 target (doubling tiger numbers) four years early, in 2018.
3. Asiatic Lions
- India is the only country with wild Asiatic lions.
- Population grew from 327 (2001) to 891 (2025) — a 172% rise.
- Found exclusively in the Gir landscape of Gujarat.
4. Leopards
- India’s leopard population stands at 13,874.
- Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka host the highest numbers.
5. Snow Leopards
- India recorded 718 snow leopards in 2024.
- Found mostly in Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.
6. Cheetahs (Project Cheetah)
- India currently has 27 cheetahs, including 16 cubs born in India.
- 20 adult cheetahs were translocated from Africa:
- 8 from Namibia
- 12 from South Africa
- 8 more cheetahs are scheduled to arrive from Botswana.
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
About IBCA
A treaty-based intergovernmental organisation dedicated to conserving the world’s seven big cats:
Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
Launch & Background
- Launched in 2023 by PM Narendra Modi during the 50-year celebration of Project Tiger.
- Inspired by India’s leadership in tiger conservation.
Objectives
- Halt the decline of big cat populations.
- Strengthen cooperation among big-cat range countries.
- Promote funding, capacity building, science-based conservation, and anti-poaching efforts.
Governance Structure
Modelled on the International Solar Alliance (ISA):
- Assembly of Members
- Standing Committee
- Permanent Secretariat → based in New Delhi
Membership
- 27 countries have given consent to join.
- Five countries have ratified the Framework Agreement:
- India
- Nicaragua
- Eswatini
- Somalia
- Liberia
- Membership is open to all UN member states, including both range and non-range countries.
Conclusion
India’s hosting of the Global Big Cats Summit solidifies its leadership in global wildlife conservation.
With strong domestic successes — from tiger recovery to lion protection — and an international platform through IBCA, India aims to foster a coordinated global effort to secure the future of big cats across continents.