New Delhi, June 16 -- India's environment minister Bhupendra Yadav has called on Big Cat Range countries to actively collaborate in the initiatives of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), emphasizing collective action to conserve and protect the seven major big cat species and their habitats.

Launched by India in 2024, the IBCA is a global initiative encompassing 95 range countries, mandated to conserve tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and pumas.

On 29 February 2024, the Union cabinet chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi approved the establishment of the IBCA, with a one-time budgetary support of Rs.150 crore for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

"India has emerged as a global leader in ...