Most people are familiar with the illuminated beaches of India, but there are also forest areas that glow in the dark. These luminous landscapes resemble the fantastic scenery from the movie 'Avatar,' where the forest floor shimmers with an unearthly green light.
In the Western Ghats of India, hidden beneath the dense canopy of trees, decaying logs, trunks, and fallen branches can emit a soft emerald glow after sunset. This represents one of the least known natural phenomena in the country. Information about India's bioluminescent ecosystems covers scientific foundations and also indicates the places and times when this phenomenon can be observed.
Unlike the bioluminescent beaches of India, these glowing forests rarely feature in tourist routes. Their light is subtle, seasonal, and visible only under specific conditions.
This phenomenon is called bioluminescence—the ability of living organisms to generate light through a natural chemical reaction. In the Indian forests, this glow originates from bioluminescent fungi that colonize dead and decaying wood during the monsoon season. High humidity, constant rainfall, and damp forest floors create an ideal environment for these fungi to spread across fallen trunks, branches, and stumps.
The light is generated by a reaction involving the molecule luciferin, an enzyme known as luciferase, and oxygen. Instead of releasing energy as heat, this reaction produces visible green light. Natural researchers sometimes refer to this phenomenon as 'foxfire' or 'fairy fire.' Unlike fluorescent materials that require an external light source, these fungi continuously produce their own light through a biochemical process. Scientists have identified several species of bioluminescent fungi, many belonging to the genus Mycena. It is believed that numerous such glowing fungal species inhabit India, although researchers continue to document and identify them.
1. Bhimashankar Sanctuary, Maharashtra
If there is one place most closely associated with the glowing forests of India, it is Bhimashankar. Located in the northern part of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary receives abundant monsoon rains, creating ideal conditions for bioluminescent fungi. On moonless nights from July to September, patches of decaying wood can emit a faint green glow under the evergreen canopy. Wildlife photographers often advise waiting quietly in complete darkness for several minutes before the glow becomes visible.
2. Chorla Ghat (Goa – Karnataka – Maharashtra border)
Chorla Ghat, one of the wettest regions of the Western Ghats, is known for its misty forests and exceptional biodiversity. During the monsoons, moist fallen logs scattered across the forest floor serve as an ideal habitat for glowing fungi. Although seeing them cannot be guaranteed, this region has become a favorite spot for naturalists hoping to see an Indian analogue to the Avatar forest.
3. Agumbe, Karnataka
Agumbe, also known as the 'Cherrapunji of South India,' is famous for its tropical forests, royal cobras, and impressive biodiversity. The same heavy rains that sustain these ecosystems also create favorable conditions for light-emitting fungi.
4. Silent Valley National Park, Kerala
Silent Valley is one of the last untouched tracts of tropical forest in India and provides the cool, humid conditions necessary for glowing fungi. Although this phenomenon is not advertised as a tourist attraction, researchers have documented light-emitting fungal species in the Western Ghats ecosystem, including forests like Silent Valley, which have much decaying wood.
5. Bangaram Island, Lakshadweep
India's most famous glowing beach owes its brilliance to microscopic marine plankton known as dinoflagellates. When waves disturb the water, the organisms produce bright blue flashes, making the sea appear internally lit. Best time: October – March, depending on plankton blooms.
6. Mattu Beach, Karnataka
Near Udupi, Mattu Beach occasionally displays an impressive bloom of bioluminescent plankton after the monsoon. Under favorable sea conditions, gentle waves paint the coastline with streaks of electric blue. Best time: September – December.
7. Bioluminescent Beaches of Goa
Goa is famous for its sunsets, but on certain nights, beaches such as Betalbatim, Colva, and some quieter stretches reveal another spectacle. Seasonal blooms of marine plankton can cause waves to glow blue after dark, although this phenomenon remains unpredictable. Best time: Post-monsoon, usually September – December.
Although both phenomena are examples of bioluminescence, they are caused by entirely different organisms. In the forests, fungi growing on deadwood produce a constant green glow that remains visible in complete darkness. Along the coast, microscopic plankton called dinoflagellates emit flashes of bright blue light only when disturbed by waves, currents, fish, or people moving on the water. One illuminates fallen trees, while the other illuminates the sea.
While the glow attracts attention, the organisms behind it play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health. Bioluminescent fungi are among the most efficient recyclers in the forest. They decompose fallen trees, branches, and rotting wood, returning nutrients to the soil that plants can reuse. Without fungi, forests would gradually accumulate dead organic matter, disrupting the nutrient cycle and affecting countless other species. Marine plankton is no less important. It forms the base of coastal food chains, supporting fish, crustaceans, and larger marine animals, while contributing to the health of oceanic ecosystems.
These ecosystems survive only under specific ecological conditions. Glowing fungi depend on cool, humid forests with an abundance of deadwood. Changes in precipitation, habitat fragmentation, and the removal of fallen logs can reduce the conditions necessary for them to thrive. Similarly, coastal bioluminescence depends on water quality, seasonal plankton blooms, and healthy marine ecosystems.
If you plan to observe the glowing forests of India or the bioluminescent beaches, a few simple rules can help protect these fragile ecosystems: stay on marked trails and avoid entering sensitive forest areas. Do not collect glowing fungi, wood, or other natural specimens as souvenirs. Minimize the use of flashlights and camera flashes, as bright light can hinder the observation of the glow and disturb wildlife. Avoid disturbing marine life or entering protected coastal areas without permission. Whenever possible, travel with experienced local naturalists or authorized forest guides.
In Santiniketan, where the red earth shines under the shade of ancient trees, and where Rabindranath Tagore's vision of learning under trees still lives, 29-year-old Somnat Ghosh is creating something both poetic and practical—a home for trees that people plant and then forget.
His foundation, Brikkho, calls itself the first 'Tree Shelter Home' in India. This phrase seems metaphorical until Ghosh explains its meaning. He argues that a tree becomes an 'orphan' in two ways: when it is mindlessly cut down, or when it is planted ceremonially but then abandoned after being photographed.
According to Ghosh, every tree deserves more than just a planting event; it needs a caretaker. He asks, 'If there are homes for orphaned children in society, why not create a system of guardianship for abandoned trees?' For him, Brikkho is such a family that plants, nurtures, monitors, and protects. The goal is not just to increase the number of trees, but to build long-term connections between people and nature.
This connection did not begin with Brikkho. It arose many years ago from a complex choice. Ghosh meticulously built a multimedia studio, gathering cameras, drones, and editing systems piece by piece. This was the result of many years of hard work and financial difficulties. However, another call grew louder.
He recalls, 'If I don't act now, there is absolutely no guarantee that I can do it in the future.' His love for plants and animals began in childhood. Later, while working on a project with the Burdwan Forest Department, this quiet feeling became something much more urgent. Life in the forest changed him. He also noticed that many people genuinely want to plant trees, but very few know how to ensure the survival of these saplings. There was enthusiasm, but no support system. This gap eventually led to the creation of the Brikkho Foundation.
Like many life changes, his impulse intensified during the COVID-19 quarantine. In Santiniketan, Ghosh and a group of volunteers formed the 'Helping Hands' group. For 150 consecutive days, they fed stray dogs left hungry after tea stalls and snack bars closed. They delivered medicine to elderly residents, spread information about masks, and later delivered aid supplies to the Sundarbans after Cyclone Amphan. The work went far beyond environmental conservation.
He notes, 'The emotional and spiritual nourishment I received during that period changed my personality. It strengthened my desire to dedicate myself completely to this cause.' This experience reinforced his belief that caring for nature can never be separated from caring for people.
When the Brikkho Foundation was officially established, Ghosh aimed to solve a problem that had long troubled him: too often, tree planting ended the moment the sapling hit the ground. For him, the real work should start right then. Today, the Brikkho guardianship model merges the digital and physical worlds. People can take guardianship of a local tree through the Brikkho Foundation for a one-time contribution of 600 rupees.
People can adopt local tree species online, while the Foundation plants them in groups, focusing on the Sonajhuri forest—a landscape named after Acacia auriculiformis, where golden flowers fall like drops of gold. Trees are planted on land provided by the Forest Department, as well as on land voluntarily provided by local farmers for reforestation. The Foundation continues to care for each sapling through regular audits, soil preparation before the monsoon, fence repairs, and organic additives until the trees can grow independently. Each adopted tree is monitored and supported for three years, ensuring its survival and healthy growth until it achieves self-sufficiency.
To date, over 2000 trees have been planted, maintaining a 95% survival rate. Brikkho Foundation has been actively working since 2021, and these nearly 2000 trees were planted between 2021 and 2026. Approximately 500–600 people have adopted trees under the program. Since plantings are distributed across multiple locations, the Foundation does not tie them to a single area. Many adopters plant trees in memory of loved ones and return years later to watch them grow.
To enhance accountability, Brikkho has also developed a 'Track My Plant' feature, allowing adopters to monitor each tree using geotagged photos and regular updates. Furthermore, each adopter receives a Green Hero Certificate, the geotagged location of the adopted tree, online tracking via the Brikkho website, and periodic planting updates. Ghosh believes this feature eliminates one of the biggest drawbacks of large-scale tree planting drives: too often, nobody knows what happens after the planting ceremony.
For Ghosh, success is measured not by the number of trees planted, but by the type of forest they form. Brikkho deliberately avoids monoculture plantations. Instead, he creates multi-layered ecosystems using Neem, Shal, Kadamba, Banyan, Peepal, and local shrubs that support birds, insects, and microorganisms. He believes that resilience lies in diversity.
He says, 'A forest of 10,000 trees is beautiful, but it becomes revolutionary when it is built by 10,000 conscious people, each owning a part of its heartbeat.' For him, the smallest unit of change is not an acre of land, but one person connected to one living tree. The Foundation's forest area is located in the Kankalitala area of Bolpur, where the adopted trees continue to take root and grow. His work has also received official recognition and approval from the Forest Department of the Government of India.
As the Foundation grew, so did its mission. Through the Mission Clean Santiniketan program, attention shifted to the Kopai River viewpoint—a tributary of the Ganges mentioned in Tagore's works, but increasingly clogged with plastic waste. For an entire year, volunteers cleaned this stretch every weekend. The Kopai River cleanup campaign ran continuously for about seven months, during which volunteers collected trash into large bags over almost 120–150 days of cleaning.
Today, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, the initiative is working on river restoration through better waste management, including bins and recycling systems. Similar cleanups have been conducted in the Sonajhuri forest and around Kanch Mandir. During humid afternoons, volunteers bend down to collect plastic wrappers left by tourists, filling bags with discarded bottles and fishing lines that clog the river.
The work does not stop there. They also visit tribal settlements on the edge of the forest, listening to elders speak about seed preservation and traditional farming methods. In return, they share practical knowledge about organic composting and crop rotation, creating an exchange where indigenous wisdom and modern methods complement each other. In addition to these efforts, the Brikkho Foundation has conducted environmental awareness programs in 10 villages and carried out planting activities in five to six villages around Santiniketan.
The same philosophy guides the Foundation's work in communities. The cultural landscape of Santiniketan is interwoven with Bengali traditions and tribal heritage. Through the 'Sharing Happiness' Program, food is distributed to villages in Birbhum district, including Beldanga, Baduria, Dunaipur, Saheb Danga, and Amradanga. Some villages are predominantly Adivasi, while others are more diverse, but together they reflect the communities surrounding Santiniketan. Since the start of the program, the Brikkho Foundation has distributed over 5000 food kits among beneficiaries in these communities.
However, for volunteers, the most memorable moments are often the simplest: children eagerly awaiting food kits; elderly people singing folk songs while receiving medicine. This initiative reflects Ghosh's conviction that ecological restoration and social care cannot exist separately.
The sight of the ancient trees of Santiniketan, slowly disappearing due to age, storms, and neglect, inspired another long-term vision. The Green Santiniketan 2050 mission poses a simple question: if today's giants disappear, what will replace them? The answer is equally simple: plant now so that in twenty years, there is another canopy overhead.
The mission hopes to create not only greener landscapes but also a cooler microclimate, healthier public spaces, and a continuity of Tagore's vision for Santiniketan. Like many grassroots movements, Brikkho's biggest challenge remains funding. Saplings themselves are accessible, but their protection is not. Fencing, maintenance, labor, and long-term monitoring require constant financial support.
Ghosh started the Foundation primarily with his own funds. Even today, the initiative is mainly financed by Somnat Ghosh himself, with additional support from tree adoption contributions, individual donations, and donations specifically received for food distribution programs. The 600 rupee contribution for adoption covers the full cost of planting, protecting, monitoring, and maintaining the tree for three years, after which it usually becomes self-sufficient. The Foundation's main recurring expenses include tree maintenance and monitoring, fencing and protection, sapling preparation and planting, website maintenance, office operations, as well as travel and transport for monitoring plantings and moving saplings. As it grows, crowdfunding and public support are becoming increasingly important. Nevertheless, he draws strength from Tagore's song 'Ekla Cholo Re'—go alone if necessary.
Today, about 50 volunteers—students, planting experts, retired officers, and teachers—stand beside him. Arup Kumar Thandar, District Coordinator, West Bengal Biodiversity Council, says, 'What is remarkable about the Foundation is that its volunteers go far beyond planting or adopting trees. They take on less glamorous tasks—clearing forest floors, cleaning rivers, and visiting tribal settlements to learn about traditional wisdom.' When people tell Ghosh that one person or even one tree cannot change much, he smiles. He says, 'The ocean is formed by drops.' He dreams of a future when the sons and daughters of Santiniketan—and admirers of Tagore's vision and poetry worldwide—join forces to make this house of knowledge greener. Their contribution will not only support our movement but also renew the eternal bond between knowledge and nature.
