The summit will bring together 95 countries to share strategies, enhance cooperation, and protect iconic big cat species, showcasing India’s growing role in global wildlife conservation and environmental diplomacy
In a major environmental and diplomatic push announced during the Union Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed that India will host the inaugural Global Big Cat Summit this year, bringing together leaders, environment ministers and experts from 95 big cat range countries to discuss collective conservation strategies.
The decision reflects India’s growing leadership in global wildlife protection and positions the country as a key voice in international conservation efforts. The summit will be held under the framework of the International
Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a coalition launched by India in 2024 aimed at conserving the world’s seven big cat species, including the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma.
“We established the Big Cat Alliance in 2024. This year India is hosting the first‑ever global Big Cat Summit…”
Sitharaman said in Parliament.
What the summit aims to achieve
The Global Big Cat Summit aims to provide a platform where governments, conservationists and civil society can share best practices, forge partnerships and design internationally coordinated responses to threats like habitat loss, poaching and climate change. Countries participating include diverse nations from Canada to Brazil, all sharing landscapes where big cats naturally occur.
India’s conservation journey offers practical know‑how: its tiger population has grown significantly over the decades, bouncing back from severe declines in the 20th century to now hosting more than 3,600 wild tigers, roughly 70% of the global wild tiger population.
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Beyond numbers, India’s experience includes community engagement, scientific monitoring and habitat protection, which it hopes will serve as a model for other nations. The IBCA emphasises that preserving big cats also nurtures entire ecosystems, contributing to healthier forests, grasslands and carbon storage, essential for climate resilience.
The IBCA’s headquarters is based in New Delhi, reinforcing India’s central role in this global initiative. Countries are expected to sign formal agreements to join the alliance, expanding its influence and reach.
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