Home / Environment / Beyond Tigers: BRICS Embraces Big Cats for Economic Resilience
Beyond Tigers: BRICS Embraces Big Cats for Economic Resilience
24 Sep
Summary
- BRICS nations included big cats and conservation in their New Delhi Declaration.
- Big cat conservation highlights the health and connectivity of wider landscapes.
- Protecting biodiversity is key for economic resilience and climate adaptation.
BRICS nations have integrated big cat conservation into their geopolitical discussions, as seen in the New Delhi Declaration. India's International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) initiative, building on its conservation successes, is recognized by the bloc.
This inclusion underscores the economic significance of healthy ecosystems. As BRICS countries, which represent a substantial portion of the global population and economy, navigate growth and climate challenges, nature's role in climate resilience and economic stability is paramount.
Big cats, requiring vast connected habitats, serve as indicators of landscape health. Their conservation necessitates planning for shifting habitats due to climate change and ensuring landscape connectivity beyond protected areas.
This approach extends to infrastructure development, urging early integration of ecological considerations to minimize habitat fragmentation and support resilience. Businesses and financial institutions are also called upon to assess their impacts and dependencies on biodiversity.
Cooperation within BRICS, leveraging diverse experiences through platforms like IBCA, can enhance cross-border conservation efforts. Ultimately, safeguarding biodiversity is framed as essential for the adaptive capacity of both nature and dependent economies.
