International Big Cat Alliance Summit begins in Bandipur; focuses on protecting seven species

Gundlupet (Chamarajanagar dist): Retired Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Subhash Malkade said that the main objective of the International Big Cat Alliance Summit is to protect the seven big cat species in the world - tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah, snow leopard, jaguar and puma.

The Forest Department, in association with the National Tiger Conservation Authority, International Big Cat Alliance and Union Ministry of External Affairs, is conducting the second executive course on ‘Capacity Building for Wildlife and Conservation Practitioners’ from February 9 to 13, at Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves.

Speaking at the International Big Cat Alliance Summit at Melukamanahalli, Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Monday, he said, “70% of the world tigers are in India. There are 14,000 to 15,000 leopards. The number of lions is also considerably on a rise and India is a model country in conserving the big cats.”

The cheetah population in the country was completely destroyed in 1952. After 70 years, the number of cheetahs has increased to 35, following the introduction and breeding of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa. Important discussions are taking place at the International Big Cat Alliance Summit regarding the survival of the big cats, he said.

APPCF Manoranjan, Biswajeet Mishra, Bandipur Tiger Project Director Ramesh Kumar, Chamarajanagar CCF Malathi Priya, Bandipur Tiger Project Director S Prabhakaran, and ACF Naveen Kumar were present.

29 countries

Around 39 participants from 29 countries are participating in the programme, conducted under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). The first summit was organised from February 10 to 16, 2025, in Kaziranga National Park, Assam. It brought together 44 officials from 27 countries.

The second executive course is being attended by 39 senior officials from 23 countries including Armenia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Congo, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Panama, Peru, Romania, Russia, Somalia and Sri Lanka.

Field-based sessions will be conducted in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, offering participants direct exposure to best management practices being followed in the tiger reserves and other protected areas.