Tikender Panwar is the former deputy mayor of Shimla. The city saw many initiatives under his leadership. He is the author of three books on urbanization, and regularly writes on the subjects of sustainable development, tourism and the Himalayan ecosystem. He is a member of the Kerala Urban Commission and adviser, Samruddha Bharat Foundation. He was also a member of the national task force to review the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which pertains to decentralized governance.