India grants Big Cat Alliance, its officials, privileges accorded to UN agencies

NEW DELHI: Empowering the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to function effectively, the government has extended to the global body and its officials all privileges and immunities (legal safeguards) which are normally granted to representatives of United Nations (UN) organisations.

The step, which follows the signing of the host country agreement for establishing IBCA in India on April 17, reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation for conservation of big cats.

The provision was notified in the gazette by the Union environment ministry under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947 on Aug 8.

The Alliance, India’s brainchild, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an event commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger in India on April 9, 2023, with the aim of conserving the seven big cats -- Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma – in coordination with other countries. India is home to five big cats -- Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah.

The IBCA had come into force as a full-fledged treaty-based inter-governmental organisation and global legal entity, headquartered in Delhi, in Jan. As of now, 35 countries have consented to join the IBCA, with 12 of them signing the treaty and three opting for observer status.

The primary objective of the Alliance is to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve the conservation of big cats at a global level.

All UN member countries, including non-range countries interested in big cat conservation, are eligible to become members of the IBCA. The Alliance's framework aims at cooperation among countries to further the common conservation agenda, with big cats as mascots for sustainable development and livelihood security.