Maharashtra
Bela Gram: India’s First Net-Zero Panchayat
- 21 Feb 2026
- 2 min read
Why in News?
Bela Gram Panchayat from Bhandara district, Maharashtra — recognised as India’s first net-zero Panchayat — was showcased at Mumbai Climate Week 2026.
Key Points:
- First-of-Its-Kind Model: Bela Gram has achieved net-zero status through comprehensive climate action, positioning itself as India’s first net-zero Panchayat.
- Leadership & Vision: Under the leadership of Sharada Gaydhane, Sarpanch of Bela Gram, the Panchayat coordinated extensive local climate initiatives, reinforcing the role of grassroots leadership in combating climate change.
- Initiatives in Bela Gram included large-scale tree plantation, installation of solar panels on public buildings, adoption of cleaner cooking fuels like LPG, waste segregation at household level, and rejection of single-use plastics — all contributing to reduced carbon emissions.
- Recognition: Bela Gram received the Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar in 2024 for its net-zero achievements and exemplary climate stewardship, reinforcing its national significance as a model Panchayat.
- Community-Led Solutions: The presentation at Mumbai Climate Week also included climate solutions from other Panchayats across India, emphasising renewable energy adoption, land restoration, and community engagement in climate resilience.
- Significance: The showcase of Bela Gram’s net-zero model at a national climate platform underscores the transformative potential of Panchayat-led climate action in achieving sustainability goals, strengthening local governance, and inspiring nationwide replication of grassroot climate solutions.
| Read More: Gram Panchayat, India’s net-zero, Climate change, Renewable energy |
