Mysore/Mysuru, Feb. 10 -- A five-day International Big Cat Alliance Summit opened at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve last evening, bringing together delegates from 23 major big cat range countries.

As part of the initiative, the Forest Department, in collaboration with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Union Ministry of External Affairs, is conducting the second Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) course aimed at capacity-building for wildlife and conservation practitioners.

Notably, this is the first time an ITEC course is being held in South India, combining classroom learning with on-ground exposure.

The summit began with an address by IBCA Director General Dr...