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.

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........

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