NEW DELHI — The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has announced a series of five thematic events across India to highlight the country’s leadership in wildlife protection. These programs serve as a precursor to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026 and aim to showcase achievements and collaborative actions involving both central and state governments.
Event Locations and Focus Species
The programs will focus on the five big cat species found in India at specific strategic locations:
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Asiatic Lion: Gir, Gujarat.
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Tiger: Chandrapur, Maharashtra.
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Leopard: Bhubaneswar, Odisha (coinciding with the International Day for Biological Diversity).
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Snow Leopard: Gangtok, Sikkim.
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Cheetah: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Key Conservation Highlights
1. Asiatic Lion (Gir, Gujarat)
The program will focus on India’s unique success in species recovery, as the Asiatic Lion survives exclusively in India. Key efforts include Project Lion, habitat expansion beyond the Protected Area, and the critical role of local communities like the Maldharis.
2. Tiger (Chandrapur, Maharashtra)
With over 70% of the world’s wild tigers, India is a global leader in this field. The event will highlight the use of modern technology such as AI-enabled monitoring and M-STrIPES, as well as successful village relocations and anti-poaching infrastructure.
3. Leopard (Bhubaneswar, Odisha)
This theme emphasizes coexistence in human-dominated landscapes. Discussions will center on conflict mitigation, rapid response teams, and public awareness campaigns designed to foster harmony between human settlements and leopard habitats.
4. Snow Leopard (Gangtok, Sikkim)
Focusing on the “sentinel of the Himalaya,” this event highlights the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) and climate-resilient conservation planning for fragile mountain ecosystems.
5. Cheetah (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh)
The Bhopal event will showcase the world’s first intercontinental translocation project. It focuses on the reintroduction of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to restore India’s grassland ecosystems.
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the IBCA aims to foster global cooperation for seven major big cat species. These thematic events are designed to share knowledge, reinforce India’s policy initiatives, and strengthen stakeholder engagement ahead of the global summit.
