Overview
- Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav made the announcement at the COP30 high-level segment on the International Big Cat Alliance in Belém, Brazil.
- He linked healthy big cat landscapes to stronger carbon storage, functioning water systems, ecosystem resilience and climate adaptation.
- Yadav said 17 countries have formally joined the International Big Cat Alliance, with more than 30 others expressing interest in membership.
- He outlined plans for IBCA to offer technical assistance, standardized tools, capacity building, south–south cooperation, and blended finance including biodiversity–carbon credit approaches.
- India highlighted domestic gains such as doubling its tiger population ahead of target, growing Asiatic lion numbers, extensive wildlife databases, expanded protected areas and secured habitat corridors.