The shimmering blue glow lighting up Kochi’s backwaters has captivated visitors and flooded social media with breathtaking visuals. But beneath this dazzling display lies an ecological crisis that threatens marine life, disrupts local fisheries, and raises concerns about worsening environmental imbalances.
Bioluminescence, locally known as kavaru, is caused by Noctiluca scintillans, a microscopic plankton that produces light when disturbed. While this natural phenomenon has become a seasonal spectacle in Kerala’s waters, scientists warn that its increasing frequency signals nutrient pollution, rising sea temperatures, and declining water quality.
The same conditions fueling the glow high nitrate and phosphate levels from industrial runoff, rising salinity, and reduced rainfall are also driving harmful algal blooms (HABs), which deplete oxygen levels and endanger marine ecosystems.
For Kerala’s fishing communities in Kumbalangi, Chellanam, and Puthuvype, what mesmerizes tourists spells disaster for their livelihoods. The proliferation of plankton disrupts aquatic food chains, forcing fish to flee, leading to poor catches and economic losses. Additionally, toxic biotoxins released during HAB events pose serious health risks, with exposure linked to neurological disorders and respiratory issues.
Similar bioluminescent events have been recorded along Mumbai’s Juhu Beach, Chennai’s Thiruvanmiyur Beach, Lakshadweep’s Bangaram Island, and Goa’s Betalbatim Beach, signaling a broader crisis linked to climate change and unchecked coastal pollution. While agencies like UNESCO’s IOC-HAB Programme and India’s INCOIS Algal Bloom Information System monitor HAB outbreaks, experts stress the need for sustainable coastal management, stricter pollution controls, and advanced early-warning systems to prevent further ecological damage.
As Kochi’s glowing waters continue to attract admiration, the urgent question remains: how long before this beauty turns into an irreversible environmental catastrophe?