Smita Ahuja has been a resident of Gurugram for over two decades and has witnessed first-hand the city’s rapid transformation from a quiet township to a dense urban landscape. Concerned by the declining environmental quality, she committed herself to working in the field of sustainability and circularity more than 12 years ago.
Her work spans across community, institutional, and government levels, where she has engaged with local administrations, schools, self-help groups, medical professionals, civil society organisations, and citizens to drive awareness and action. She was instrumental in establishing Samadhaan Hub in Gurugram—an innovative waste solutions centre created by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) in partnership with iamgurgaon. The hub provides residents with practical tools for managing diverse categories of waste and has gained significant recognition, including being featured in NDTV’s Swasth Banega India campaign in October 2020.
In 2022, she supported the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, as an expert reviewer for the Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship Program. This national initiative encourages young innovators and community leaders to create value from waste and build a strong network of “Swachhta Saarthis” across India. Since 2018, she has also served as a member of the Citizens Supervisory Committee (CSC) of MCG for Solid Waste Management, contributing to frameworks and processes for city-wide waste management systems.
With a strong belief in both individual and collective social responsibility, Smita advocates for sustainable living as a shared duty to current and future generations. She received Green Impact Award for Gurugram from MCG, Kalagram and Govt of Haryana in 2024. Alongside her work in the environmental sector, she brings over 25 years of professional experience with leading corporates, including Hindustan Unilever, Reebok, and the Sterling Group, as well as consulting and postgraduate teaching. She continues to work as an independent consultant while leading Earthtree as its Managing Trustee.