Kochi’s Bioluminescent Backwaters Hide an Ecological Crisis
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 al...
