Harnessing Nature
Our logo with human hands holding the biosphere with care depicts our stand for humanity as one with nature – from Mountains, Forests, Rivers, to Seas – from deserts to grasslands to Deltas, from conifers to mangroves, from mega faunas to microbiome, from terrestrial to marine. Natural ecosystems are spread beyond manmade boundaries harnessing us – our food, our culture, our health, livelihood, well-being, and communities in turn must develop consciousness to take care of these precious ecosystems. Learn more.
Commission on Ecosystem Management
The IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management is one of the seven commissions that unite 10,000 volunteer experts from a range of disciplines. They assess the state of the world’s natural resources and provide the Union with sound know-how and policy advice on conservation issues.
IUCN CEM
South Asia Regional Network
The South Asian regional network of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (IUCN CEM SA) includes six countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka. It is a regional platform of global significance comprised of experts, professionals and emerging leaders (youth) for contributing and sharing knowledge that is helping the upgradation and development of existing knowledge related to the concerns, challenges and prospects of ecosystem management and transboundary conservation efforts in the region.
How We Engage
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide expert guidance on integrated approaches to the management of natural and modified ecosystems to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Our structure
We have over 30 groups divided into Thematic Groups, Specialist Groups and Task Forces. Each network is focused on building and strengthening communities to achieve specific goals in different regions worldwide. Learn more about the groups.
Harnessing Nature Magazine
The Harnessing Nature magazine published by IUCN CEM South Asia regional network aspires to attract and distribute high-quality original research, opinions and reporting of events conducted by the CEM members, especially in South Asia. Learn more.
News & Stories
- Innovative Solutions for Himalayan Sustainability: NMHS Grant Empowers Graphic Era (Deemed to be University) to Tackle Invasive SpeciesThe project “Sustainable Utilization of Invasive Plant Biomass for Biochar Production and Bioactive Compound Recovery in Uttarakhand” has been awarded to Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, India, and is generously funded by the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India. This initiative isContinue reading “Innovative Solutions for Himalayan Sustainability: NMHS Grant Empowers Graphic Era (Deemed to be University) to Tackle Invasive Species”
- Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on Developing an Ecosystem-based Adaptation Feasibility Tool for Indian Cities: A Case Study of BengaluruOn 25 June 2025, the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) hosted the first Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Bengaluru for the project Developing an Ecosystem-based Adaptation Feasibility Tool (DEFT). Supported by the Global EbA Fund, DEFT aims to empower Indian cities with data-driven planning tools that prioritise Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) for climate resilience. The pilot study,Continue reading “Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on Developing an Ecosystem-based Adaptation Feasibility Tool for Indian Cities: A Case Study of Bengaluru”
- From Land to Sea: How the Plastic Crisis of World Environment Day Becomes the Greatest Challenge of Ocean DayBy Manika N., Commission Member, IUCN CEM, on 08 June 2025. Just three days ago, we observed World Environment Day, highlighting the urgent issue of plastic pollution. Today, as we celebrate World Ocean Day, we confront an uncomfortable truth: the plastic crisis that we recognised on land has become the ocean’s most pressing existential threat.Continue reading “From Land to Sea: How the Plastic Crisis of World Environment Day Becomes the Greatest Challenge of Ocean Day”
Become a Commission Member
Are you interested in conservation actions and want to be part of this community? Please contact us for more info