India will host the 1^st International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 1–2 June 2026, positioning the country at the centre of global efforts to conserve the world’s most iconic and ecologically critical species. Focusing on the conservation of seven Big Cat species—Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma—and their ecosystems, the Summit will be a major milestone in highlighting the central role of biodiversity conservation in climate mitigation and sustainable development.

The Summit will be organised under the aegis of the Government of India and the International Big Cat Alliance. Spearheaded by India, IBCA serves as a global coalition dedicated to safeguarding the seven Big Cat species through collaborative action. IBCA was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, in April 2023. IBCA provides a robust institutional framework to strengthen cooperation among range countries to advance coordinated Big Cat global conservation efforts.

High‑Level Global Participation

The Summit will serve as a high‑level platform for Heads of State, Ministers, representatives of government, senior policymakers, scientists, conservation practitioners, and international/national conservation organisations to engage in dialogue on conservation challenges and opportunities. It will bring together IBCA Member and Observer countries, along with senior government representatives, experts, and partner organisations representing 95 Range countries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The summit reflects the understanding that safeguarding apex species is essential for biodiversity security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

The High‑Level Summit Meeting on 1^st June 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi will:

• Be Presided over by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji
• Include statements on status of Big Cat Conservation by Heads of State and Government, sharing national experiences and priorities.
• The adoption of the First ever “The Delhi Declaration on Big Cat Conservation”

The Lion, often regarded as the “King of the Beasts,” is one of the most iconic and social among the Big Cats, serving as an  apex predator, plays a vital ecological role by regulating herbivore populations, maintaining ecosystem balance, and shaping biodiversity and inter-species dynamics. Lion populations have declined by over 30 percent globally due to habitat loss and degradation; while populations persist across sub-Saharan Africa, the Asiatic lion survives as a single wild population in India’s Gir landscape.

Encouragingly, India’s lion population in the Greater Gir Landscape has grown to an estimated 891 individuals in 2025, reflecting sustained conservation success.

The Asiatic lion receives the highest level of legal protection, being listed under Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Building on these efforts, Project Lion, launched in 2020, adopts a comprehensive, landscape-based approach to ensure the long-term conservation of the species through habitat restoration, population management, and enhanced ecological resilience.

The “Lion” Species Spotlight Event, held as part of the Pre-Summit Species Events of the IBCA Summit at Sasan Gir, Gujarat highlighted Global Conservation Status of the iconic Big Cat Species and initiatives taken by India towards conservation of the species.

Objectives of the Spotlight Event:

• To highlight India’s successful lion conservation model and share best practices globally.
• To promote international cooperation for lion conservation across range countries.
• To deliberate on emerging challenges such as habitat pressures, climate change, and human–wildlife interactions.
• To strengthen knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaborative conservation frameworks.

The summit promotes the understanding that safeguarding apex species including Lion is essential for biodiversity security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

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