Dr. Arun Kumar Verma joined Indian Forest Service in 1986 and superannuated as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Gujarat. He is a Post-graduate in Physics. During his PGPPM from IIM, Bangalore, he worked on international environmental principles, multilateral environmental negotiations and produced his dissertation thesis-Indian Environmental Diplomacy: Focus and Framework. At Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse (USA) he developed the skill to analyze trans-boundary conflicts on natural resource with reference to Mekong River Negotiation. He holds Ph.D. in Tribal Development Policy.

In early days of his service, he managed the largest productive but problems-ridden forest areas of Gujarat with participatory approach and Joint Forest management. He contrived several new concepts in forestry sector in the State such as a new generation Forest Management Plan and Urban Ecosystem Management through Urban Forestry.

As Member Secretary, Gujarat Ecology Commission, he dealt with ecological status of the State and worked on ecosystem-based development in various agro-climatic and biotic zones. He supervised the   largest ever mangrove plantation project of 16000 Ha. with community participation in Gujarat.  He was the Project Director of the World Bank funded Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project in Gujarat and looked after the community participation in resource management, implementation of urban waste management in the hinterland of Gulf of Kutch, capacity building of State agencies for coastal zone management and also developed strategies and projects to save threatened species as well as conservation of marine ecosystem and corals. In collaboration with academics and professionals he led the editorial team of 9- volume State of Environment Reports 2012 for Gujarat.

Dr. Verma is uniquely experienced to deal with sustainable development as he has worked not only in the forestry and environment sector but also had long stints in development administration and infrastructure management. He also worked as Commissioner of Tribal Development in Gujarat looking after holistic development of 7.5 million forest dwellers and other Scheduled Tribes population. He was the architect of Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana in Gujarat. In Power Sector, Dr. Verma was Managing Director of Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL). UGVCL won Government of India Gold Shield for the best performance during the period under his stewardship (2010-11).  He served Government of India as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Power and steered Village and Household electrification creating access to affordable and clean energy as envisaged under Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7). Saubhagya scheme was his brainchild.  He played pivotal role in the field of Power Distribution Reforms, development of Smart Grid & Urban Electric Systems, IT enablement of Discoms, Project Finance and Energy Efficiency. 

He was nominated as Member of the Consultative Group by Government of India for nearly six years to advise on matters pertaining to Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and United Nation Convention for Combating Desertification (UNCCD). He was conferred Rashtriya Gaurav Award for Outstanding Services, Achievements & Contributions in public service in 2010 and won Digital India Award 2016 for the GARV App for rural electrification.

He Joined National Green Tribunal as Expert Member on 12^th April 2021.