India, Feb. 1 -- India will host the first-ever Global Big Cat Summit this year, bringing together heads of governments and ministers from 95 range countries to discuss collective strategies for big cat conservation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha.

The Finance Minister said the summit would strengthen global cooperation for protecting species such as tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs and jaguars. She noted that the International Big Cat Alliance, established last year, aims to facilitate collaboration among countries that are home to these species.

Highlighting India's leadership in wildlife conservation, Sitharaman said the initiative builds ...