The Madhya Pradesh government announced that the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Pre-Summit event will kick off in Bhopal on Friday to mark International Biodiversity Day 2026. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav will lead the program at the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) Auditorium. Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh and Madhya Pradesh Forest and Environment Minister Dilip Ahirwar will attend as guests of honor.
The event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, National Biodiversity Authority, Madhya Pradesh government, International Big Cat Alliance, and IIFM, will focus on biodiversity conservation, wildlife enrichment, and the protection of big cats. Chief Minister Yadav and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav will launch a fleet comprising 20 motorcycles and one rescue truck during the event. The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department will present a special session on the Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India.
Various publications and digital initiatives related to biodiversity and conservation will be unveiled, including commemorative postage stamps, ‘India’s Biodiversity Report 2026’, India’s first national report on the Nagoya Protocol, and the ABS end-to-end web portal. Films highlighting Access and Benefit Sharing, the Amarkantak Biodiversity Heritage Site, and the conservation of sacred groves in Madhya Pradesh will also be showcased. The event aims to raise public awareness on biodiversity conservation, ecological balance, and wildlife protection, reinforcing India’s dedication to global conservation efforts, especially for big cats.
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was established by India to foster international collaboration for the preservation of seven big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
