Bangladesh Joins International Big Cat Alliance as 27th Member Nation

Bangladesh joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) on 24 June 2026 as its 27th member. IBCA, headquartered in New Delhi, was launched in April 2023 and works for the conservation of seven big cat species.

Key events before joining the IBCA

The process started when Bangladesh's cabinet approved the decision to join IBCA on 22 May 2026. This came after a proposal was put forward by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma held discussions with Bangladesh's Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on 8 and 9 April 2026. 

What is the International Big Cat Alliance?

The International Big Cat Alliance was launched in April 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 50th anniversary celebration of Project Tiger in India. It officially became a full treaty-based international organisation and legal entity on 23 January 2025.

The IBCA is headquartered in New Delhi, India. It works for the conservation and protection of seven big cat species across the world. These seven species are:

1. Tiger
2. Lion
3. Leopard
4. Snow Leopard
5. Cheetah
6. Jaguar
7. Puma

Big Cat Conservation in South Asia

South Asia is home to some of the most important big cat habitats in the world. India and Bangladesh both share the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, which is a critical habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger. Bangladesh's entry into IBCA is a positive step for regional conservation. It opens the door for stronger cross-border cooperation between India and Bangladesh on tiger protection, habitat management, and anti-poaching efforts in shared forest zones.

Legal and Institutional Status of the International Big Cat Alliance

The International Big Cat Alliance is a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation under international law.