Under the chief guestship of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and the chairmanship of Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav, the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Pre-Summit Event will be inaugurated on May 22, 2026, on the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity 2026.
The pre-summit event will be held at the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) Auditorium, Bhopal. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh and Minister of State for Forest and Environment Shri Dilip Ahirwar will be present as special guests at the programme.
The event is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, National Biodiversity Authority, Government of Madhya Pradesh, International Big Cat Alliance, and the Indian Institute of Forest Management.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and Union Minister Shri Yadav will flag off 20 bikes and one rescue truck deployed by the Forest Department at 9:50 a.m. The programme will feature deliberations on various aspects of biodiversity conservation, wildlife protection and big cat conservation, especially .
Director General of the International Big Cat Alliance, Dr. S.P. Yadav, will give a presentation on the activities and objectives of the IBCA. A special presentation on India’s cheetah reintroduction programme will also be made by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department.
IEC Material to Be Released
Several publications and digital initiatives related to biodiversity and conservation will be released and launched during the programme. These include a commemorative postage stamp, ‘India’s Biodiversity Report 2026’, India’s first national report on the Nagoya Protocol, and the ABS End-to-End Web Portal.
Films based on Access and Benefit Sharing, the Amarkantak Biodiversity Heritage Site, and conservation of sacred groves of Madhya Pradesh will also be screened during the event.
The event is expected to enhance public awareness regarding biodiversity conservation, environmental balance, and wildlife protection, while also reaffirming India’s commitment at the international level.
