INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE

INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE  I   RACE IAS : Best PCS Coaching in Lucknow I  Current Affairs

 

Mains Exam: General Studies-3

(Biodiversity conservation)

Why in News?

  • Recently, the Government of India has proposed to launch the Global Alliance for Big Cats with an investment of $100 million.

Key points:

  • India has committed to provide funding of US$ 100 million over 5 years to support the IBCA. After five years, this alliance would be supported by membership fees and money from other organizations.
  • This alliance will work towards the conservation of the seven big cats - tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah.
  • The IBCA will be open to 97 countries and organizations interested in protecting these animals, including the natural habitats of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organizations, etc.

IBCA's Activities and Governance:

  • IBCA will engage in advocacy, partnership, knowledge e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism, partnership between expert groups and finance harnessing.
  • The alliance will disseminate information on benchmark practices, capacity building, resource pooling, research and development, and awareness generation.
  • Its governing structure will be a General Assembly of all member countries, which will include at least a seven-member council.
  • It will be limited to not less than 15 member states and a secretariat elected by the General Assembly for a period of 5 years.

Criticism of IBCA proposal:

  • Critics believe that India cannot spend $100 million for 22 endangered species, nor will creating another forum without political will to protect the big cats help conservation.
  • Big cat biologists have raised concerns that several major conservation plans and species restoration programs are already being stymied by insufficient funding.
  • IBCA lacks the political will required to overcome such limitations.
  • After the first five years, IBCA is expected to sustain itself through membership fees, contributions from bilateral and multilateral institutions and the private sector.

Significance of this alliance:

  • Conservation of biodiversity: Big cats are apex predators that control herbivore populations, help prevent overgrazing and maintain ecosystem health.
  • Economic Significance:Big cats, mainly tigers, attract tourists to India, thereby stimulating local communities and small businesses, in addition to generating significant revenue for the country.
  • Cultural Significance:Big cats have been a part of Indian culture and mythology for centuries and are also worshiped as symbols of power and beauty in the country.
  • Ecosystem Services:These cats play an important role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem by regulating prey populations
  • They help maintain ecosystem balance and ensure the provision of ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control and nutrient cycling.
  • Scientific value:Studying big cats in their natural habitat provides unique information on their behaviour, ecology and biology that can be used to develop effective conservation strategies and management plans.

Challenges related to the protection of Big Cats:

  • Habitat loss and fragmentation:The natural habitats of big cats are increasingly being destroyed or fragmented by human population growth and infrastructure expansion.
  • Poaching and illegal trade:The illegal trade of big cats for the manufacture of traditional medicines and luxury goods remains a significant threat to their existence.
  • Human-Wildlife Conflict:Human-wildlife conflict has increased to a great extent due to the increase in human population. Human-wildlife conflict is a serious challenge to the big cats.
  • Climate change:It is causing changes in the natural habitats of big cats, affecting prey availability, and increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events that are disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems and is further threatening the existence of the big cats.
  • Lack of political will:Lack of political will in India has prevented the implementation of important conservation policies to protect the big cats, making their conservation more challenging.

Government's important efforts for the protection of big cats:

  • Project Tiger:
  • It is the flagship program of Government of India for tiger conservation which was started in the year 1973.
  • The main objective of this program is to create protected areas to protect tigers and their habitats, improve law enforcement and involve local communities in tiger conservation efforts.
  • National Tiger Conservation Authority:
  • It is a statutory body established in 2005 to ensure effective implementation of Project Tiger and other conservation programmes.
  • It oversees the management of tiger reserves, provides technical support and coordinates with other government agencies and stakeholders.
  • Wildlife Protection Act:
  • It is a national law enacted in 1972, which protects wildlife in India by prohibiting illegal hunting and trade of wildlife.
  • The law also provides for the establishment of protected areas including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.
  • National Wildlife Action Plan:
  • It is a comprehensive plan for wildlife conservation in India that outlines strategies and actions to protect and manage wildlife and their habitats.
  • This action plan includes goals to increase the tiger population, establish new protected areas, etc.
  • Eco-Development Programme:
  • The program aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict and increase community participation in conservation efforts.
  • M-stripes:
  • It is a mobile-based monitoring system developed by the Wildlife Conservation Trust for monitoring and managing the tiger population.
  • The system uses GPS and mobile technology to collect data on tiger movements and habitat use, which is used to inform conservation decisions.

Way Forward:

  • Protecting the big cats in India is a complex and challenging task that requires collaboration between state governments, local communities and international organizations.
  • To address the challenges associated with the conservation of these big cats, a concerted effort should be made to develop and implement effective conservation policies and strategies, balancing the needs of wildlife and people.
  • A well planned strategy of conservation will not only ensure their survival but will also help in keeping the ecosystem balanced.

Source: Indian E.

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