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.
    • 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?

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)