Nepal is now an official member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). Having signed the framework agreement, Nepal’s membership is now formalized. The IBCA was created to encourage international collaboration for the conservation of seven big cat species, including tigers, leopards, and snow leopards.
The IBCA noted that Nepal’s inclusion will enhance the global cooperation to conserve big cats, given the presence of snow leopards, tigers, and common leopards within the country. The IBCA congratulated the Nepalese government. Nepal’s tiger population has significantly grown, reaching 355 by 2022 from 121 in 2009. The alliance was launched by India on April 9, 2023, in Mysore, Karnataka.