Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference

• 24 Apr 2024

Source: DTE

Why in News?

The Bhutanese government hosted the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference on Earth Day 2024 to mobilise USD 1 billion over the next decade for conserving tigers and their habitats across Asia.

What is the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference?

• About:
  • The two-day conference will be hosted by Bhutan under the patronage of the country’s queen, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck.
  • It seeks to mobilise the amount of USD 1 billion over 10 years for the preservation of tiger landscapes.
    • The conservation of tiger landscapes is vital to maintaining biodiversity, sequestering carbon, supplying resources to over 100 million people, and ensuring the overall health of the planet.
  • The conference convened tiger range countries, visionary private and public sector donors, international development agencies, the Tiger Conservation Coalition, and other conservation organisations.
• Key Highlights from the Conference:
  • High-level representatives from ten tiger range countries delivered statements on the progress and ambitions for conserving their tiger landscapes.
  • The conference culminated with the Paro Statement by the Royal Government of Bhutan reiterating it’s objective.
• Other Sources of Funding:
  • Since 2010, the Global Environment Facility has provided more than USD 197 million in financing and mobilized another USD 880 million, in co-finance, for tiger conservation.

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):

• About:
  • India has proposed to launch a mega global alliance under its leadership to protect big cats and assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of USD 100 million.
  • The proposed International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) will work towards the protection and conservation of the seven major big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah.
  • Membership to the alliance will be open to 97 “range” countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organisations, etc.
    • The alliance was inspired by the arrival of cheetahs in 2022 from Namibia.
  • India is the only country in the world to have tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards and cheetahs in the wild except for the pumas and jaguars.
    • So, it is only befitting that India takes the lead to bring together all big cat range countries under an United Nations(UN)-like organisation.
• Structure of IBCA:
  • A General Assembly consisting of all member countries.
  • A council of at least seven but not more than 15 member countries elected by the General Assembly for a term of 5 years, and a Secretariat.
  • General Assembly will appoint the IBCA Secretary General for a specific term.

What are Global Initiatives for Tiger Conservation?

• Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP)
• St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation
• Global Tiger Forum
• Global Tiger Initiative (GTI)
• Tiger Conservation Coalition:
  • It is an independent group of organizations that have worked extensively together on major tiger assessments.
  • Its member organizations include the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC), the United Nations Development Programme and the World Wildlife Fund.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC): (2017)

1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans:(b)

Q. Consider the following protected areas: (2012)

1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans

Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?

(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only 
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)