A garden in the middle of a city can be more than a patch of green. Look closely, and you might spot a butterfly moving between flowers, bees hovering over native plants, and children exploring the outdoors at their own pace. These small encounters are part of a much bigger story about biodiversity, belonging and the spaces we make for nature.
In Ludhiana, Punjab, 16-year-old Gunisha Kaur is helping bring this vision to life. Through her initiative, Buzzing Blooms, she has established more than 20 pollinator gardens and ecological restoration projects across Ludhiana, Meerut, Mumbai and partner communities.
Through Buzzing Blooms, Gunisha is transforming underused urban spaces into chemical-free habitats for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Photograph: (Buzzing Blooms)
Her work has now earned her third place at the 2026 International Young Eco-Hero Awards, presented by environmental organisation Action For Nature. Over 24 months of monitoring, the gardens recorded a 155% increase in pollinator species richness, from 18 species to 46. Bee visits also increased by nearly 200%, according to the organisation.
But for Gunisha, the idea was never just about planting more flowers. It was also about creating outdoor spaces where people with different needs could feel comfortable and connected to nature.
How a personal experience inspired Buzzing Blooms
Growing up in Ludhiana, an industrialised city, Gunisha became concerned about the declining pollinator populations she observed around her. At the same time, her experiences at home were shaping how she understood the relationship between people and the natural world.
Watching her younger autistic brother helped her recognise how calming natural surroundings could be. It also made her aware of how few outdoor spaces were designed to accommodate neurodivergent children and their sensory needs.
The gardens feature native plants, structured pathways and touch-safe greenery to make nature more accessible to children with different sensory needs. Photograph: (Instagram/@ gunisha_eco)
These observations led her to launch Buzzing Blooms on 5 March 2023, with a vision to transform underused urban spaces into chemical-free habitats that support both biodiversity and inclusion.
Her Sikh heritage, which emphasises respect for nature, also informs her approach. “Rooted in my culture, which teaches respect for nature, I was inspired to create spaces that nurture both biodiversity and belonging,” she adds.
Gardens designed for bees, butterflies and children
At Buzzing Blooms, the idea of a successful garden extends beyond how it looks. The spaces use layers of native plants and chemical-free cultivation methods to create habitats for pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
The design also considers the people who visit. Structured pathways make the gardens easier to navigate, while non-thorny, touch-safe plants and designated bee- and butterfly-watching zones allow children to explore nature in ways that suit their sensory needs.
The result is an approach that brings ecological restoration and accessibility together, rather than treating them as separate goals.
Over 24 months of monitoring, Buzzing Blooms recorded a 155% increase in pollinator species richness, from 18 to 46 species. Photograph: (Buzzing Blooms)
And the impact goes beyond the gardens themselves. Buzzing Blooms has engaged more than 4,000 students, including over 250 neurodivergent and vulnerable individuals. Through workshops, restoration drives and inclusive learning programmes, the initiative has reached more than 8,000 people.
Gunisha has also established the Buzzing Blooms Peer Advocacy Network, training more than 500 young ambassadors in environmental communication, public speaking and leadership. To help fund the work, she conducts art classes on weekends and reinvests her earnings, alongside money from plant sales and scholarships, into maintaining the gardens.
From local gardens to international recognition
Gunisha’s interest in finding solutions to environmental challenges also extends to technology. She developed AeroBloom, an artificial-intelligence-guided aerial pollination system designed to support agriculture during extreme heat, when natural pollinators may temporarily leave an area. The innovation earned her a bronze medal at the Indian Science and Engineering Fair.
Gunisha Kaur wins third place at the 2026 International Young Eco-Hero Awards for her work with Buzzing Blooms. Photograph: (Buzzing Blooms)
Her latest recognition at the International Young Eco-Hero Awards puts a spotlight on what a young changemaker can achieve by addressing environmental problems within her own community.
From creating habitats for pollinators to making green spaces more welcoming for children, Gunisha’s work offers a practical lesson in how cities can become more inclusive while supporting biodiversity.
