Ahmedabad may be known for its rapid urban growth, but at the heart of this buzzing city, IAS Sujeet Kumar is quietly planting the seeds of long-term change. A 2010-batch officer of the Gujarat cadre, Kumar recently took charge as Collector of Ahmedabad. On paper, his responsibilities are vast – revenue management, land issues, law and order. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a man with a vision that goes far beyond the official checklist.
“My top priorities right now,” he says, “are natural resource management – plantation drives, pond rejuvenation, water conservation, and creating public spaces for people in rural areas.”
BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO FORGOTTEN PONDS
One of Kumar’s first moves after taking charge was to zero in on rural ponds, those often-overlooked water bodies that once served as lifelines for villages.
“There are big ponds here in Gujarat,” he shared with the media. “Deepening these ponds will help recharge groundwater, which is crucial in a dry state like ours. While the Narmada canal gives us water, we need to strengthen our own water sources too.”
The plan is simple, but the impact could be huge: clean and deepen existing ponds, enhance their storage capacity, and turn them into vibrant community spaces where families can gather, relax, and reconnect with nature. In a state where summers are unforgiving, these rejuvenated ponds could change the way villages live and breathe.
RACING THE CLOCK AND THE RAIN
Kumar knows he doesn’t have forever. In fact, the real challenge isn’t the ambition; it’s the monsoon. With rains just weeks away, his team is working against the clock.
“Trees need time to take root if they’re going to survive,” he says. “And pond deepening must be done before the rains start. After that, work will stall for two to three months.”
There’s no room for delay. Under his leadership, barren lands across Ahmedabad have been identified for afforestation. Cleaning them up and launching tree plantation drives are already underway.
THE GREEN BLUEPRINT
Kumar’s approach isn’t about flashy announcements or one-time drives. His plan is methodical. Each area chosen for plantation is mapped, and local communities are looped in. Similarly, pond rejuvenation isn’t limited to dredging; it involves thoughtful design to improve both aesthetics and functionality.
The larger idea? To merge sustainability with daily life. A pond is no longer just a source of water; it’s also a place to unwind. A patch of land isn’t just greened for statistics; it’s made accessible and cared for.
REIMAGINING DEVELOPMENT
Ahmedabad may be a city on the move, but Kumar believes progress doesn’t have to come at the cost of nature. His leadership is pushing a shift in thinking, from short-term fixes to long-term impact.
He’s just a month into the job, but if the energy on the ground is any indicator, change is already rippling through the district. Villagers are stepping up to support the pond work. Saplings are finding homes in dry lands that have waited too long for care.
“I don’t want this to be just a one-season effort,” he adds. “This is about creating a culture of care where nature is part of development, not an afterthought.”
A GREENER TOMORROW, ONE STEP AT A TIME
IAS Sujeet Kumar’s ideas aren’t revolutionary in design but their simplicity and urgency make them powerful. He isn’t waiting for grand budgets or perfect conditions. With a tight timeline and a clear goal, he’s out there, showing what focused governance can do.
Whether it’s a pond that begins to fill again, or a sapling that takes root and grows into shade, his work is quietly reshaping Ahmedabad’s future. One that’s greener. Cleaner. And a little more hopeful.
