What if a garden could do more than grow flowers? What if it could bring butterflies back to urban spaces while offering children of different abilities a place to explore, learn and feel at ease? Sixteen-year-old Gunisha Kaur from Ludhiana, Punjab, is turning this idea into reality through her initiative, Buzzing Blooms.

Founded on March 5, 2023, the project transforms underused urban spaces into chemical-free pollinator habitats designed to be accessible to children with diverse sensory needs. Her efforts have earned her third place in the 2026 International Young Eco-Hero Awards, organised by Action For Nature.

From 18 Pollinator Species to 46

Growing up in heavily industrialised Ludhiana, Gunisha noticed a decline in local pollinator populations. According to a report in the Times of India, her experiences at home also shaped her vision. Observing her younger autistic brother helped her understand how calming natural surroundings could be and how few outdoor spaces were designed to accommodate neurodivergent children.

She decided to bring these two concerns together: protecting biodiversity and making nature more welcoming. Buzzing Blooms has since established more than 20 pollinator gardens and ecological restoration projects across Ludhiana, Meerut, Mumbai and partner communities.

The results are encouraging. According to Action for Nature, monitoring over 24 months recorded a 155% increase in pollinator species richness, from 18 to 46 species. Bee visitation also rose by nearly 200%. These gardens use native plants, layered planting and chemical-free cultivation to create suitable habitats for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Making Nature More Inclusive

The gardens are designed with people in mind, too. Structured pathways, plants that are safe to touch and designated areas for watching bees and butterflies help make outdoor experiences more accessible to children with different sensory needs.

The initiative has engaged more than 4,000 students, including over 250 neurodivergent and vulnerable individuals. Its overall outreach exceeds 8,000 people through workshops, restoration drives and environmental learning programmes.

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 weekend art classes and reinvests her earnings, along with income from plant sales and scholarships, into maintaining the gardens.

From Gardens to Technology

Gunisha’s efforts extend beyond planting. She developed AeroBloom, an AI-guided aerial artificial pollination drone system designed to support agriculture during extreme heat, when natural pollinators may temporarily become less active. The idea is to supplement pollination during climate stress, not replace bees and other natural pollinators.

For Gunisha, a successful restoration project is not measured only by the number of plants or insects it supports. It is also about whether people can participate in and benefit from nature. Through Buzzing Blooms, this young eco-hero is nurturing a future where biodiversity flourishes and more children feel that the natural world belongs to them, too.