India's First International Big Cat Summit set for June 1-2 in New Delhi
Synopsis
India will host the First International Big Cat Summit on 1-2 June in New Delhi, bringing together industry and government to mobilise corporate funding for the conservation of seven big cat species under PM Modi's IBCA initiative. With CII already holding an MoU with IBCA, the summit signals a shift toward structured private-sector engagement in wildlife conservation.
Key Takeaways
India will host the First International Big Cat Summit on 1 and 2 June in New Delhi .
The summit is organised under IBCA , a PM Narendra Modi initiative covering seven big cats : tiger, lion, cheetah, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, and puma.
Minister Bhupender Yadav called for corporate funding for habitat restoration, tech-driven monitoring, and community-based conservation.
CII already holds a formal MoU with IBCA , signalling structured industry participation.
India ranks third globally in renewable energy capacity; cumulative solar capacity reached 150 GW as of March 2026 .
India will host the First International Big Cat Summit on 1 and 2 June in New Delhi, with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav calling on industry leaders to step up corporate funding and partnerships for global big cat conservation. The announcement was made on Monday, 11 May at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conference on the future of the global economy and India's centenary vision.
What the Summit Is About
The summit is being organised under the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA), an initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at protecting the world's seven big cats — tiger, lion, cheetah, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, and puma. The June gathering marks the first time a dedicated international platform of this scale is being convened specifically around big cat conservation.
Minister Yadav emphasised that corporate participation is no longer optional.
Point of View
Not ceremonial, partner. CII's existing MoU with IBCA is a promising signal, but MoUs in India's conservation space have historically been long on intent and short on disbursement. The real test will be whether June's summit produces binding corporate pledges with measurable outcomes, or whether it becomes another high-profile gathering that generates headlines without habitat. India's tiger numbers have improved under Project Tiger, but cheetah reintroduction has been rocky — the credibility of IBCA's broader mandate depends on delivering visible results across all seven species, not just the flagship ones.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the First International Big Cat Summit?
The First International Big Cat Summit is a two-day international conference scheduled for 1 and 2 June in New Delhi, organised under the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA). It aims to bring together governments and industry to mobilise funding and partnerships for the conservation of seven big cat species.
What is the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA)?
IBCA is an initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect the world's seven big cats — tiger, lion, cheetah, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, and puma. It serves as a global platform for coordinating conservation efforts, funding, and policy across range countries.
Why is corporate funding being sought for big cat conservation?
Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that corporate funding is essential for habitat restoration, technology-driven monitoring, community-based conservation, and awareness programmes — areas where government budgets alone are insufficient. The CII already holds an MoU with IBCA to formalise this industry partnership.
Who is invited to participate in the June summit?
Industry leaders, corporate bodies, and international stakeholders are being invited to participate. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which already has an MoU with IBCA, is among the key partners expected to play a central role.
What was the broader context of Minister Yadav's address?
Yadav was speaking at a CII conference on the future of the global economy and India's centenary vision, where he also highlighted India's renewable energy achievements — including 150 GW of solar capacity as of March 2026 — and a 36% reduction in GDP emissions intensity between 2005 and 2020.
