New Delhi: In a significant international recognition for India’s forest services, senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Dr Vivek Saxena has been appointed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a desk reviewer for UNESCO World Heritage nominations that will be considered during the 2027 World Heritage Committee session.
Dr Saxena, the senior-most IFS officer of the Haryana cadre from the 1991 batch, is set to retire from the Haryana Forest Department on July 31, 2026, concluding a distinguished public service career spanning more than three decades. His latest appointment marks an important milestone in his contributions to environmental conservation and international biodiversity governance.
The IUCN serves as UNESCO’s official advisory body for natural heritage under the World Heritage Convention. It provides independent scientific and technical evaluations of natural and mixed heritage sites nominated by member nations for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Experts selected for this role are chosen for their scientific credentials, professional experience, and ability to assess the global ecological significance of proposed sites.
Dr Saxena is an active member of three IUCN expert commissions—the Species Survival Commission, the Commission on Environmental Law, and the Commission on Ecosystem Management—reflecting his long-standing engagement with international conservation initiatives.
During his career, he represented India in several global environmental forums. Between 2007 and 2012, he served as India’s National Coordinator for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and also worked as the country’s Scientific Correspondent. He chaired the Asia-Pacific Group during the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP10) held in Changwon, South Korea, in 2011.
His contributions extend to international scientific research as well. Dr Saxena was among the lead authors of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Global Assessment on Land Degradation and Restoration, published in 2018, a landmark report that has informed global discussions on ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management.
In another notable recognition, he was shortlisted by a United Nations selection panel for the position of Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, underscoring his standing within the international environmental policy community.
As part of his new responsibilities, Dr Saxena will review nominations submitted by countries seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for natural and mixed heritage sites. His assessments will examine whether nominated locations satisfy the Convention’s standards relating to ecological integrity, conservation value, and long-term protection before recommendations are made to the World Heritage Committee.
His appointment is being viewed as a significant honour for both the Haryana Forest Department and India’s forest services. It also highlights India’s growing presence in global conservation leadership and reinforces the country’s expanding role in shaping international efforts to protect biodiversity and natural heritage. 