Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the ambitious International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) project and called for international cooperation in conserving the big cat population.
Addressing a gathering of dignitaries from foreign countries and states in Mysuru on completion of 50 years of the Project Tiger in the country, he urged the foreign dignitaries that as they had come to the Western Ghats region, they should visit and study the centuries old lifestyle of Adivasis of the region, which was a good example for the entire world.
“The community is deriving and giving back to nature. This is the heritage of Adivasis. Take a lesson from the heritage and life of Adivasis to your people and country,” PM Modi said. “‘The Elephant Whisperers’ documentary, which won Oscars also showed relation between nature and creature.”
IBCA is an extension of the earlier efforts to save big cats.
This enables financial and technical cooperation towards conservation and preservation of countries, which have the population of seven big cats such as tiger, lion, leopard, puma, jaguar, cheetah, and South African lions.
Members would share experience and help other members in research, training and capacity building.
“Humans can be safe when nature and biodiversity is safe and intact. The accountability is ours and the entire world’s,” Modi said.
He also released a commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of the Project Tiger.