Important for:

UPSC, Haryana HCS, Punjab PCS
Prelims: IBCA, Project Tiger, big cats
Mains: GS Paper 3 — Environment, Biodiversity, Conservation

Why in News?

India is preparing a “New Delhi Declaration” ahead of an international summit on big cat conservation, aiming to create a global framework for protecting major wild cat species.

What is the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)?

• A global initiative launched by India
• Focuses on:
  → Conservation of big cats

Covers 7 species:

• Tiger
• Lion
• Leopard
• Cheetah
• Snow leopard
• Puma
• Jaguar

Key Objectives of the Declaration

1. Habitat Protection

• Preserve forests and ecosystems

2. Combat Wildlife Crime

• Address poaching and illegal trade

3. Promote Global Cooperation

• Collaboration among countries

4. One Health Approach

• Link:
  → Wildlife + human + ecosystem health

Key Challenges Highlighted

• Deforestation
• Illegal wildlife trade
• Habitat fragmentation
• Climate change impacts

India’s Role in Conservation

• Leader in:
  → Tiger conservation (Project Tiger)
• Expanding efforts to:
  → Global wildlife conservation

Global Significance

• Big cats are:
  → Apex predators
• Maintain:
  → Ecological balance
• Found across:
  • Asia
  • Africa
  • Americas

Key Insight for UPSC

➤ This initiative shows:

• India’s soft power in environment diplomacy
• Shift toward:
  → Global environmental leadership

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q1. IBCA focuses on:

A. Marine species
B. Big cats
C. Birds
D. Forests only

✅ Answer: B

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a big cat?

A. Tiger
B. Lion
C. Leopard
D. Wolf

✅ Answer: D

Q3. Project Tiger was launched in:

A. 1960
B. 1973
C. 1985
D. 1991

✅ Answer: B

Q4. One Health approach links:

A. Economy and trade
B. Wildlife, human, and ecosystem health
C. Agriculture and industry
D. Education and health

✅ Answer: B

Q5. Apex predators are important because they:

A. Destroy ecosystems
B. Maintain ecological balance
C. Reduce biodiversity
D. Cause climate change

✅ Answer: B

CBL Mains Practice Question

“India is emerging as a global leader in wildlife conservation.”
Discuss in the context of the International Big Cat Alliance and related initiatives.

FAQs

1. What is the New Delhi Declaration?

A proposed global framework for big cat conservation.

2. What is IBCA?

An international initiative led by India to protect big cats.

3. Why are big cats important?

They maintain ecological balance as apex predators.

4. What challenges do they face?

Poaching, habitat loss, and climate change.

5. Which GS paper covers this topic?

GS Paper 3 — Environment.