The Environment Ministry announced that the Framework Agreement on the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially come into force. The IBCA and its Secretariat have become a full-fledged, treaty-based, inter-governmental international organization and legal entity as of January 23. Five countries – Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia – have deposited their instruments of ratification under the Framework Agreement. As of now, 27 countries, including India, have consented to join the IBCA. Several international and national organizations working in the field of wildlife conservation have also partnered with the IBCA. Our correspondent reports that the IBCA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, during the ‘Commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger’ event. Last year, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the IBCA, with its headquarters in India. It was launched with the aim of conserving seven big cats: the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.