Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Posted On:
21 MAY 2026 8:19PM by PIB Bhopal
The “Cheetah” Species Spotlight Event, held as part of the Pre-Summit Species Events of the IBCA Summit,2026 at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh highlighted Global Conservation Status of the iconic Big Cat Species and successful initiatives taken by India.
Objectives of the Spotlight Event was:
To highlight India’s successful “Project Cheetah” model and share best practices globally.
To promote international cooperation for Cheetah conservation across range countries.
To deliberate on emerging challenges such as habitat pressures, climate change, and human–wildlife interactions.
To strengthen knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaborative conservation frameworks.
India will host the 1st International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 1–2 June 2026, positioning the country at the centre of global efforts to conserve the world’s most iconic and ecologically critical species. Focusing on the conservation of seven Big Cat species—Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma—and their ecosystems, the Summit will be a major milestone in highlighting the central role of biodiversity conservation in climate mitigation and sustainable development.
The Summit will be organised under the aegis of the Government of India and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). Spearheaded by India, IBCA serves as a global coalition dedicated to safeguarding the seven Big Cat species through collaborative action. IBCA was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, in April 2023, IBCA provides a robust institutional framework to strengthen cooperation among range countries to advance coordinated Big Cat global conservation efforts.
High-Level Global Participation
The Summit will serve as a high-level platform for Heads of State, Ministers, representatives of government, senior policymakers, scientists, conservation practitioners, and international/national conservation organisations to engage in dialogue on conservation challenges and opportunities. It will bring together IBCA Member and Observer countries, along with senior government representatives, experts, and partner organisations representing 95 Range countries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
The summit reflects the understanding that safeguarding apex species is essential for biodiversity security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
The High-Level Summit Meeting on 1st June 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi will:
Be Presided over by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji
Include statements on status of Big Cat Conservation by Heads of State and Government, sharing national experiences and priorities.
The adoption of the First ever “The Delhi Declaration on Big Cat Conservation”
The Cheetah renowned as the fastest land animal, is one of the most distinctive among the Big Cats, is uniquely adapted for speed and agility. Historically, distributed across Africa and parts of Asia, including India, Cheetah populations have undergone a drastic decline due to habitat loss, fragmentation, decline of prey base, and human–wildlife interface.
In India, the cheetah was declared extinct in 1952; however, a landmark conservation initiative, Project Cheetah, launched in 2022 aims to reintroduce the species through a scientifically planned, landscape-based approach. The programme seeks not only to establish a viable, free-ranging metapopulation but also to restore degraded grassland ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and promote community participation, thereby contributing to long-term ecological resilience. As of March 2026, India has a total of 53 cheetahs including 33 cubs born on Indian soil.
By linking the project to Mission LiFE, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has elevated Project Cheetah into a global symbol of science-driven, community-inclusive rewilding, personally overseeing its progress and ensuring that the roar of the cheetah, silent in India for over seven decades, echoes once again across its ancient grasslands.
The event promotes the understanding that safeguarding apex species including Cheetah is essential for biodiversity security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
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