New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav inaugurated a two-day international workshop in New Delhi on Wednesday. Under the theme ‘Tiger Landscapes: Conservation, Bioeconomy and Ecotourism as Pillars for Livelihood and Income Generation’, the two-day workshop, being held on September 2–3, brings together officials, experts, and representatives from tiger-range countries to discuss sustainable conservation and livelihood opportunities.
Jointly organized by the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the workshop focuses on strengthening tiger conservation efforts while promoting sustainable livelihoods and income-generation opportunities for communities in tiger landscapes.
The discussion will also explore the potential of utilizing the tiger landscape as natural capital, with a special emphasis on ecosystem services, the bio-economy, and responsible eco-tourism. Key dignitaries present at the inaugural session as Secretary (EFCC) Tanmay Kumar, DG (Forests) Sushil Kumar Awasthi, DG (IBCA) S.P. Yadav, and ADB Country Director for India Mio Oka were present on the dais, along with representatives from tiger-range countries and partner organizations.
At the inaugural session, Shri Yadav highlighted India’s tiger conservation success under Project Tiger, emphasizing the need to protect forests, grasslands, rivers, prey species, wildlife corridors and local communities. He highlighted tiger landscapes as vital natural assets that sustain water security, climate resilience, biodiversity and local livelihoods. The Minister called for a shift from species-focused conservation to integrated landscape management, supported by nature-based solutions, innovative financing and community-led ecotourism to achieve both ecological and socio-economic goals.
Shri Yadav stated that a balanced coexistence between humans and nature is essential for ecological conservation. He emphasized that the conservation of land and soil is crucial for quality food security, climate balance, and human life. Amidst rising desertification, declining soil moisture, and land degradation, conserving tiger landscapes—while incorporating the traditional knowledge of local communities is essential for sustainable development. He also emphasized the exchange of knowledge, capacity building, and the integration of traditional knowledge into bio-economy and eco-tourism policies. He also called upon the IBCA to take the initiative in bringing the local knowledge of the Global South onto a single platform.
During the event A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This agreement will provide fresh impetus to cooperation in landscape conservation, sustainable development, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and nature-friendly financing. Shri Yadav highlighted the IBCA’s expanding global role under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and stressed the importance of stronger international cooperation for big cat conservation.
Government representatives, international experts, conservation specialists, researchers, development partners, and other stakeholders from various countries—including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Nepal, and Vietnam participated in the workshop. Welcoming the IBCA-ADB partnership, Ms. Mio Oka noted that 2026 marks 40 years of ADB’s partnership with India. She highlighted India’s rich experience in conservation and sustainable development and said the ADB would help share these lessons with big cat range countries while supporting sustainable financing for conservation.
(PIB)
