New Delhi, 2 September 2026: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav today inaugurated a 2-day international workshop on the theme 'Tiger Landscapes: Conservation, Bioeconomy and Ecotourism as Pillars for Livelihood and Income Generation' in New Delhi today. This workshop is being jointly organized by the International Big Cats Alliance, Asian Development Bank and National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change from 2nd – 3rd September, 2026.
The dignitaries present on the stage included Secretary, Tanmay Kumar; DG (Forests) and Special Secretary, Sushil Kumar Awasthi; DG IBCA, S.P. Yadav; Country Director for India (ADB), Ms. Mia Oka, along with senior officials from the Ministry, IBCA, NTCA, ADB and representatives of tiger-range countries. The discussions will focus on recognizing tiger landscapes as natural capital, highlighting the value of ecosystem services, and exploring how conservation, bioeconomy and ecotourism can serve as key factors for sustainable livelihoods, local income generation and long-term ecological security.
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Tiger landscapes represent valuable natural capital
Addressing the inaugural session, Yadve highlighted India's remarkable conservation journey under Project Tiger, and stressed that the survival of the tiger is intrinsically linked to the health of forests, grasslands, rivers, prey species, wildlife corridors and local communities. They noted that tiger landscapes represent valuable natural capital, providing complex ecosystem services such as water security, carbon sequestration, climate regulation, biodiversity conservation and livelihood support.
The Ministers stressed the need to move beyond species-centric conservation to integrated landscape management that simultaneously drives ecological security and socio-economic development. He stressed the importance of nature-based solutions, innovative financing methods and community-based ecotourism.
Yadve emphatically stated that, “Conservation with communication and co-existence of man and nature should be the foundation of ecological conservation”. He highlighted that conservation of land means conservation of quality food, which is ultimately essential for the survival of the human race. The Minister had said that the world is facing the challenge of desertification and reduction in soil moisture and soil quality. Conservation of tiger landscapes is of key importance in this situation, in addition to conserving nature, by harnessing the knowledge of local communities to facilitate sustainable socio-economic development.
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Local knowledge from the Global South should be brought together in formulating ecological conservation policies
The Minister called upon the workshop participants to discuss the need to codify traditional knowledge and incorporate that knowledge into policy making in the areas of conservation, bio-economy and eco-tourism. This workshop should focus on knowledge sharing, capacity building, native knowledge sharing and transforming the nature of policy making. He added that IBCA should take the lead in bringing together local knowledge from the Global South in formulating ecological conservation policies.
During the event, the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) formalized their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), an important step towards strengthening cooperation in landscape conservation, sustainable development, capacity building, knowledge exchange and nature-positive financing initiatives. Yadve also highlighted the growing role of the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) as a global platform for cooperation among countries and organizations working for the conservation of seven big cat species, under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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ADB completes 40 years of partnership with India
Welcoming the partnership between IBCA and ADB, Ms. Mia Oka informed that 2026 marks 40 years of ADB's partnership with India. He highlighted that India brings its vast experience in ecological conservation and sustainable socio-economic development to share with countries that have big cats. Ms. Oka highlighted the role ADB will play in bringing together countries with big cats and sharing India's rich conservation experience, as well as creating sustainable financing opportunities for ecological conservation.
The workshop brought together senior officials from MoEFCC, representatives from state forest departments and tiger reserves across the country, development partners, researchers, conservation practitioners and other key stakeholders, along with eminent international experts and government representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Nepal and Vietnam. It provides a unique platform to share experiences, promote regional and international collaboration, and identify innovative approaches to strengthen landscape conservation while advancing the sustainable development objectives.