Bela Gram Becomes Maharashtra's First Net-Zero Village, Showcased at Mumbai Climate Week 2026

Bela Gram is now Maharashtra's first net-zero village! This success was highlighted at Mumbai Climate Week 2026, showing how local action can help the planet.
By Newsroom | Environment, India |

Bela Gram's achievement as Maharashtra's first net-zero village was a central point of discussion at the Mumbai Climate Week 2026. The event, held at the Jio World Convention Centre, served as a platform for grassroots leaders to share practical, scalable climate solutions, with Bela Gram's success story prominently featured. The village's accomplishment, driven by the leadership of its panchayat and particularly its woman Sarpanch, Sharada Gaydhane, highlights a shift towards community-led climate action. The week-long event, described as India's first dedicated climate solutions platform, aimed to translate climate dialogue into concrete actions, positioning Mumbai as a hub for innovation in the Global South.

Context of Mumbai Climate Week 2026 and Bela Gram's Recognition

Mumbai Climate Week 2026, which commenced on February 18, 2026, is noted as India's first platform focused on accelerating climate action. Organized to bring together leaders, citizens, and innovators, the event emphasized the co-creation of solutions based on local knowledge and lived experiences. Its core objectives revolved around three interconnected themes: food systems, energy transition, and urban resilience.

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Bela Gram, a village in Maharashtra, was highlighted as India's first net-zero panchayat and Maharashtra's first net-zero village. This recognition was based on its sustained efforts in climate mitigation.

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  • Event Location: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

  • Duration: A three-day global climate-focused gathering, with some activities extending throughout February.

  • Key Participants: Grassroots leaders from six states, government officials including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and various organizations such as the Climate Group, India Climate Collaborative, and UNICEF.

  • Bela Gram's Role: Presented as a model for village-led climate solutions.

Evidence of Bela Gram's Net-Zero Status and Showcase

Multiple sources confirm Bela Gram's status and its presence at Mumbai Climate Week.

  • Net-Zero Panchayat: Sharada Gaydhane, the Sarpanch of Bela Gram, was quoted at Mumbai Climate Week stating, "Climate change can be felt in the water we fetch, the food we grow, and the air we breathe. It affects our health, and that is my responsibility to do what’s best for my village." This statement directly links her leadership to the village's climate initiatives.

  • Showcase at Event: Article 2 explicitly states, "Grassroots leaders from six states highlighted village-led climate solutions at Mumbai Climate Week. From Maharashtra’s first net-zero Panchayat…" Article 1 also notes, "Bela Gram | India's first net-zero Panchayat model showcased at Mumbai Climate Week."

  • Leadership: Article 4, titled "Maharashtra’s First Net-Zero Village: A Woman Sarpanch Leads with Care," underscores the role of female leadership in achieving this status.

The central theme is that Bela Gram's panchayat-led initiative has achieved a net-zero status, and this success was presented as a key example at a major climate event in Mumbai.

Mumbai Climate Week: A Platform for Scalable Solutions

Mumbai Climate Week 2026 was designed to be more than just a forum for discussion; it aimed to showcase practical and transferable climate solutions.

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  • Focus on Rural Leadership: The event highlighted "scalable climate solutions" presented by "grassroots leaders" from various states, demonstrating that impactful climate action originates from local communities.

  • Model Presentations: Examples like "Kerala’s Solar Gramam model" were presented alongside Bela Gram's net-zero panchayat model, indicating a comparison and sharing of successful approaches.

  • Action-Oriented: The event's objective was to "translate dialogue into tangible action," with a focus on "actionable solutions."

  • Global South Hub: Mumbai was positioned as a central hub for the Global South, fostering discussions on critical climate solutions rooted in the region's economic and social dynamics.

The event served as a proving ground for demonstrating how localized, community-driven climate initiatives can be replicated and scaled.

Community-Driven Climate Action and Inclusivity

A significant aspect of Mumbai Climate Week was its emphasis on citizen participation and inclusivity in climate action.

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  • Citizen-Driven Approach: Article 7 describes the event as "India's First Citizen-Driven Climate Action Event," with objectives to enable local communities to "co-create innovative solutions."

  • Inclusive Transition: Chief Minister Fadnavis articulated that "climate ambition must be high but climate transition must also be inclusive," aligning with the event's focus on bringing all stakeholders into action.

  • Diverse Partnerships: The initiative was supported by a range of organizations, including governmental bodies, NGOs, and educational institutions, reflecting a broad base of collaboration.

The framework of the climate week suggests a deliberate effort to integrate community knowledge and citizen involvement into the development and implementation of climate strategies.

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Maharashtra's Role in Climate Leadership

Maharashtra, through its participation in Mumbai Climate Week, has been presented as a leader in India's climate action efforts.

  • Staking Claim: On the opening day, Maharashtra "staked its claim as India's climate leader," presenting various initiatives.

  • Economic and Energy Focus: The state's industrial scale was noted as placing it "at the center of India’s renewable energy transition," with discussions on scaling distributed solar and grid expansion.

  • Financial Gateway: Mumbai's role as India's financial capital was emphasized for its potential to "anchor climate finance for developing economies," suggesting a strategic approach to funding climate resilience and transition.

The narrative around Maharashtra at the climate week positions the state as an active participant and facilitator in India's broader climate goals, leveraging both its grassroots initiatives and its economic standing.

Expert Analysis and Insights

While specific direct quotes from external experts are limited in the provided text, the emphasis on grassroots leadership, scalable solutions, and community-driven action suggests a consensus within the reporting.

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  • Sarpanch's Perspective: The direct quote from Sarpanch Sharada Gaydhane serves as a powerful, ground-level perspective on the perceived necessity and impact of climate action.

  • Chief Minister's Vision: Devendra Fadnavis's statements on inclusivity and the need for high ambition combined with practical transition point to a government strategy that recognizes both the urgency and the socio-economic realities of climate action.

  • Event Objectives: The stated aims of Mumbai Climate Week—to accelerate climate action, co-create solutions, and position Mumbai as a climate hub—collectively represent an expert-informed approach to tackling climate challenges through a multi-stakeholder, action-oriented framework.

The framing of the event and the highlighted initiatives suggest an understanding that effective climate solutions must be rooted in local realities and supported by robust leadership and collaborative platforms.

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Conclusion: Bela Gram's Achievement and the Future of Climate Action

Bela Gram's recognition as Maharashtra's first net-zero village at Mumbai Climate Week 2026 marks a significant local achievement within a broader national and global climate dialogue. The event underscored the potential for community-led initiatives to provide scalable climate solutions, moving beyond abstract discussions to tangible outcomes.

  • Impact of Bela Gram: The village's success, driven by its panchayat, offers a replicable model for other rural communities.

  • Mumbai Climate Week's Significance: The event itself served as a critical platform for showcasing such successes and fostering collaboration, aiming to position India and the Global South at the forefront of climate action.

  • Focus Areas: The emphasis on food systems, energy transition, and urban resilience, combined with a commitment to inclusive action, outlines a comprehensive approach to climate challenges.

  • Future Outlook: The positioning of Mumbai as a climate finance gateway and the state of Maharashtra's proactive stance suggest a continued focus on translating climate commitments into economic and social progress.

The narrative presented suggests that the combination of dedicated local leadership, community engagement, and supportive platforms like Mumbai Climate Week are crucial for accelerating India's climate transition. The effectiveness and scalability of these grassroots models will be a key factor in future climate mitigation efforts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Bela Gram and why is it important for Maharashtra?
Bela Gram is the first village in Maharashtra to become a 'net-zero' village. This means it produces as much clean energy as it uses and has low carbon emissions. Its success was shown at Mumbai Climate Week 2026.
Q: What happened at Mumbai Climate Week 2026?
Mumbai Climate Week 2026 was a big event in Mumbai from February 18, 2026, for three days. It was India's first event focused on finding and sharing practical ways to fight climate change. Leaders from villages, government, and groups came to talk about solutions.
Q: How did Bela Gram become a net-zero village?
Bela Gram achieved net-zero status through strong leadership, especially from its woman Sarpanch, Sharada Gaydhane. The village focused on climate solutions that were practical and worked for their community. This effort was praised at the climate week event.
Q: Why was Bela Gram's success shown at Mumbai Climate Week?
Bela Gram's achievement was shown as an example of how local communities can lead in fighting climate change. The event wanted to show that solutions from villages can be copied in other places. It highlighted the importance of community-led action for a greener future.
Q: What does 'net-zero' mean for a village like Bela Gram?
For Bela Gram, being net-zero means they have balanced their carbon emissions. They likely use clean energy sources like solar power and have reduced waste and pollution. This helps protect the environment and makes the village healthier for its people.
Q: What was the main goal of Mumbai Climate Week 2026?
The main goal was to move from just talking about climate change to taking real action. It aimed to find and share climate solutions that can be used in many places, especially in the Global South. It also focused on food, energy, and making cities more resilient.