Preserving the Crown Jewels of the Wild: MoEFCC to Launch Pan-India Big Cat Events
In a significant move to support wildlife diplomacy and conservation awareness, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has announced a series of five thematic events across India and each event is dedicated to one of the five majestic ‘big cat’ species which are native to the Indian subcontinent.
This initiative arrives as India tries to establish itself as carnivore conservation, following the successful International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). The ministry has decentralised these celebrations and aims to highlight the unique ecological landscapes that sustain these apex predators.
The first of these thematic events will focus on the Royal Bengal Tiger, the national animal of India. The event will be centered in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. It will celebrate the success of ‘Project Tiger’ which recently surpassed its 50 year milestone.
These sessions will focus on Tiger- landscape conservation and would emphasize on the importance of wildlife corridors.With India now housing over 75% of the world’s wild tiger population, the MoEFCC aims to share ‘best practice’ models with other Tiger Range Countries (TRCs).
The second event is dedicated to only the wild population of ‘asiatic lions’ and would be slated for the Gir landscape.
Discussions would be on community led conservation, particularly the role of the Maldhari tribes who coexist with these majestic cats. The event will also explore the technical aspects of habitat expansion and the potential for a second home for lions. It will take place in Gir.
The leopard is one of the most adaptable of the Indian big cats but is misunderstood.This event will be hosted in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The theme would be around coexistence and conflict management. Experts will discuss the use of AI in tracking leopard movement.
The discussion on high altitude conservation will take center stage in the fourth event and the event will be held in Gangtok. The snow leopard is a strong indicator for the strength of Himalayan ecosystem. This event will focus on ‘Climate Resilience and Trans-boundary Conservation’.
The final event will be dedicated to the cheetahs, marking India’s ambitious and historic intercontinental translocation project. Hosted in Bhopal, this event will review the progress of the cheetah reintroduction program. The theme will revolve around ‘restoration of grassland ecosystems’.
These five thematic events are more than just celebrations but are reminders of India’s rich heritage and bio- diversity.
This initiative arrives as India tries to establish itself as carnivore conservation, following the successful International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). The ministry has decentralised these celebrations and aims to highlight the unique ecological landscapes that sustain these apex predators.
The Royal Bengal Tiger: Resilience in the Heart of India
The first of these thematic events will focus on the Royal Bengal Tiger, the national animal of India. The event will be centered in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. It will celebrate the success of ‘Project Tiger’ which recently surpassed its 50 year milestone.
These sessions will focus on Tiger- landscape conservation and would emphasize on the importance of wildlife corridors.With India now housing over 75% of the world’s wild tiger population, the MoEFCC aims to share ‘best practice’ models with other Tiger Range Countries (TRCs).
The Asiatic Lion: The Pride of Gujarat
The second event is dedicated to only the wild population of ‘asiatic lions’ and would be slated for the Gir landscape.
Discussions would be on community led conservation, particularly the role of the Maldhari tribes who coexist with these majestic cats. The event will also explore the technical aspects of habitat expansion and the potential for a second home for lions. It will take place in Gir.
The Indian Leopard: Coexistence in Human Landscapes
The leopard is one of the most adaptable of the Indian big cats but is misunderstood.This event will be hosted in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The theme would be around coexistence and conflict management. Experts will discuss the use of AI in tracking leopard movement.
The Snow Leopard: Ghost of the Mountains
The discussion on high altitude conservation will take center stage in the fourth event and the event will be held in Gangtok. The snow leopard is a strong indicator for the strength of Himalayan ecosystem. This event will focus on ‘Climate Resilience and Trans-boundary Conservation’.
The Cheetah: A New Chapter in Indian Biodiversity
The final event will be dedicated to the cheetahs, marking India’s ambitious and historic intercontinental translocation project. Hosted in Bhopal, this event will review the progress of the cheetah reintroduction program. The theme will revolve around ‘restoration of grassland ecosystems’.
These five thematic events are more than just celebrations but are reminders of India’s rich heritage and bio- diversity.
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