The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr. Mohan Yadav, inaugurated the pre-summit of the International Big Cat Alliance in Bhopal on May 22, 2026. Hosted at the Indian Institute of Forest Management to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, the event served as a species spotlight on cheetahs and a precursor to the main alliance summit. To strengthen regional conservation, the leaders also flagged off a dedicated surveillance and rescue fleet supported by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited.
Overview of the Pre-Summit
The event was held at the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) in Bhopal on May 22, 2026. It marked the national-level celebrations of the International Day for Biological Diversity, which featured the theme “Acting locally for global impact” for 2026. The Indian Institute of Forest Management, established in 1982 as an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, served as the host venue.
The primary objective of the pre-summit was to focus on the cheetah under the species spotlight program. This event served as a curtain-raiser to build momentum for the upcoming first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit in New Delhi. By highlighting the successful reintroduction of cheetahs in India, the pre-summit aimed to foster international cooperation and share conservation methodologies among range countries.
Strengthening Wildlife Protection and Rescue Operations
To bolster ground-level conservation and response mechanisms, the government introduced new field support assets and announced critical infrastructural expansions for wildlife medical care.
Launch of Patrol Fleet Supported by HUDCO
The ministers flagged off a patrol and rescue fleet comprising 20 motorcycles and one rescue truck for the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. This fleet is designed to enhance surveillance, prevent poaching, and enable rapid responses to forest emergencies. The initiative was sponsored by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO). HUDCO is a state-owned enterprise established in 1970 under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and it was granted the Navratna status in April 2024.
New Rescue Centres at Tiger Reserves
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced the establishment of dedicated wildlife rescue centres adjacent to all tiger reserves across Madhya Pradesh. This decentralised approach is designed to provide immediate medical intervention to injured, sick, or conflict-prone animals close to their natural habitats. By building local rescue units, the state aims to avoid the physical stress and survival risks associated with transporting distressed wildlife over long distances to centralised treatment facilities in Bhopal.
Digital and Publication Launches
The Bhopal pre-summit served as a launchpad for major digital portals and progress reports that document India’s compliance with global ecological treaties.
Access and Benefit Sharing Web Portal
To streamline administrative procedures and enhance transparency, the government launched the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) end-to-end web portal. The ABS framework ensures that benefits arising from the commercial utilisation of biological resources and traditional knowledge are shared equitably with indigenous and local communities. This system is a key component of India’s commitment to the Nagoya Protocol, a 2010 supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The portal facilitates easier reporting and tracing of financial transactions, which have already seen ₹145 crore distributed to over 11,000 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) across India.
Key Reports Released
The event marked the publication of two landmark documents outlining national conservation trajectories:
- India’s Biodiversity Report 2026: Insights from the 7th National Report to CBD: This publication evaluates the alignment of national goals with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which is the global plan to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
- India’s Progress in Implementing ABS: Insights from India’s First National Report on the Nagoya Protocol: This document highlights India’s institutional advancements in translating international treaty obligations into grassroots conservation funds.
Additionally, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav noted that India is nearing its target of designating 100 Ramsar Sites (wetlands of international importance under the 1971 Ramsar Convention), with 94 sites successfully declared by May 2026.
Background of the International Big Cat Alliance
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a global multi-country coalition launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, in Mysuru, Karnataka, to commemorate the golden jubilee of Project Tiger (which was launched in 1973). The alliance targets the restoration and protection of seven major big cat species: the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
The alliance operates out of its permanent secretariat and headquarters in New Delhi. In early 2024, the Union Cabinet approved a financial package of ₹150 crore for five years (from 2023-24 to 2027-28) to support the alliance’s initial phase. The IBCA seeks to bring together 97 range countries, international conservation agencies, donor organizations, and scientific research institutes to create a unified framework for habitat protection, ecological corridor restoration, and the eradication of illegal wildlife trade.
Key Takeaways
- The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Pre-Summit was held on May 22, 2026, at the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) in Bhopal.
- The pre-summit spotlighted the conservation of the cheetah on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026.
- The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department flagged off 20 motorcycles and one rescue truck for wildlife patrolling, supported by the Navratna PSU Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO).
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced the setting up of dedicated wildlife rescue centres near all tiger reserves in the state.
- India launched an end-to-end web portal for the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism, which is a key component under the 2010 Nagoya Protocol of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, is headquartered in New Delhi, and protects seven big cat species.
