Relevance: GS II (International Relations) & GS III (Environment & Biodiversity) | Source: The Hindu / Indian Express

1. The Main Event: What is the News?

India is preparing to host a major global summit on June 1, 2026.

• The Declaration: At this summit, world leaders are expected to officially adopt the ‘New Delhi Declaration’.
• Why it Matters: If passed, this will be the world’s very first international political agreement dedicated exclusively to saving big cats. It is being driven by the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which has its headquarters in New Delhi.

2. What is the IBCA?

You must know the basic facts of this new, India-led global organization:

• The “Magnificent Seven”: The IBCA focuses on saving seven major big cats globally: the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
• India’s Pride: India is the only country in the world that historically hosts five of these seven cats in the wild. (We do not have the Jaguar or the Puma).
• Current Status: These seven cats are spread across 95 countries (called “range countries”). Currently, 24 countries have already joined the IBCA as full members, and others like Kazakhstan and Namibia are observing.

3. The ‘New Delhi Declaration’

The draft agreement focuses on modern administration and teamwork, moving beyond just putting guards in forests to stop poachers.

• Borderless Habitats (Transboundary Connectivity): Animals do not understand political borders drawn by humans. The plan promotes “landscape-level” conservation, meaning neighboring countries (like India and Nepal) will work together to ensure safe travel corridors for big cats to cross borders freely.
• The ‘One Health’ Approach: This is a highly important administrative concept. It officially recognizes that human health, animal health, and forest health are completely linked. By protecting big cat forests, we stop deadly animal diseases (zoonotic diseases) from spilling over into human cities.
• Global Police Teamwork: Strengthening international intelligence sharing to completely crush global wildlife smuggling and poaching syndicates.
• Mobilizing Funds: Creating an international system to give money to poorer developing nations so they can afford to protect their wildlife.

4. Why is this a Masterstroke for India? 

• Eco-Diplomacy (Soft Power): Just like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the IBCA proves India is not just a growing economic power, but a global leader in protecting the planet.
• Voice of the Global South: Most of the 95 “range countries” are in Asia, Africa, and South America. Through the IBCA, India is proudly leading and championing the voice of developing nations.
• Changing the Narrative: For decades, rich Western countries dictated global conservation rules. Now, India is taking ownership. By highlighting our success with Project Tiger and Project Cheetah, we are showing the world that rapid economic development and large-scale wildlife protection can happen together successfully.

UPSC Value Box

With reference to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and global conservation frameworks, consider the following statements:

1. The IBCA focuses on the conservation of seven major big cats, all of which are naturally found in the wild within the Indian subcontinent.
2. The ‘One Health’ approach recognizes that the health of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife ecosystems are inextricably linked.
3. The headquarters of the International Big Cat Alliance has been formally established in New Delhi, India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)