India is home to five of the world's seven recognised big cat species, Union Environment and Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav declared on Thursday, 14 May, at the first pre-event of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026 held at Sasan Gir, Gujarat. The event, focused on lion conservation, was organised by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as a curtain-raiser to the main summit, scheduled for New Delhi on 1 and 2 June 2026.

India's Big Cat Standing

Of the seven globally recognised big cat species — tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and pumas — spread across 55 countries, five inhabit Indian territory. Tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah are all found within India's borders, a distinction Yadav described as 'a matter of pride for the country.' Only jaguars and pumas are absent from India's wildlife landscape.

Gujarat's Lion Conservation Success

Yadav highlighted Gujarat as a global benchmark in lion conservation. While Asiatic lion populations face pressure in several regions worldwide, Gujarat's count has surged by 32 per cent to 891, even as African lion numbers have declined in parts of the world. New habitats, including the Barda sanctuary region, have been developed to sustain this growth. The minister said Gujarat's model has become a 'matter of pride' for the people of Saurashtra and the broader state.

What the IBCA Summit Will Deliver

The IBCA was conceived in 2023 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership to strengthen global cooperation on wildlife conservation. The upcoming New Delhi summit will bring together world leaders, wildlife experts, scientists, and corporate representatives to deliberate on conservation strategies for major feline species. A key outcome is expected to be the Delhi Declaration, described by Yadav as a 'foundational document for wildlife conservation cooperation.' The summit's overarching theme centres on protecting wildlife alongside humanity and the Earth's ecosystem.

Pre-Summit Events Across India

Ahead of the June summit, a series of species-specific pre-events are being held across the country. Programmes on cheetah conservation will take place in Bhopal, leopard conservation in Bhubaneswar, snow leopard conservation in Gangtok, and tiger conservation in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. The Sasan Gir event on lion conservation was the first in this series.

Broader Conservation Philosophy

Yadav stressed the need to balance development with environmental preservation, invoking a broader cultural argument: 'The Earth is not only for humans but also for all forms of life, and therefore conservation is equally necessary.' He added that Indian culture has historically emphasised compassion towards all living beings, positioning conservation as a civilisational responsibility rather than a policy choice alone. The IBCA framework, if it produces binding commitments at the June summit, could mark a significant step in multilateral wildlife diplomacy.