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Extract from the Chapter
5. Glowing Waters of Kerala
Situated 15 kms from Kerala’s Kochi town, Kumbalangi is a beautiful village with vast green vegetation. In the serene backwaters of Kumbalangi village, one can see magically glowing waters in the night.
This phenomenon is called bioluminescence, and is caused by a high concentration of micro-planktons in the sea, which are small organisms found in marine and freshwater. This beautiful sight has captured the attention of locals as well as tourists, making Kumbalangi an eco-tourism village in India. One can experience the village life in all its beauty and simplicity, and acquaint oneself to their cuisine and culture.
Situated 15 kms from Kerala’s Kochi town, Kumbalangi is a beautiful village with vast green vegetation. In the serene backwaters of Kumbalangi village, one can see magically glowing waters in the night.
This phenomenon is called bioluminescence, and is caused by a high concentration of micro-planktons in the sea, which are small organisms found in marine and freshwater. This beautiful sight has captured the attention of locals as well as tourists, making Kumbalangi an eco-tourism village in India. One can experience the village life in all its beauty and simplicity, and acquaint oneself to their cuisine and culture.
serene
— calm
backwaters
— a part of a river where the water does not flow
bioluminescence
— light produced inside the body of a living organism by a chemical reaction
eco-tourism
— tourism that is responsible towards preserving the environment
acquaint
— to become familiar with something
Summary in Bullet Points
- Location: Kumbalangi, near Kochi in Kerala.
- Effect: The water can appear to glow at night.
- Cause: The textbook attributes this to bioluminescent micro-planktons.
- Experience: The phenomenon contributes to the village’s eco-tourism appeal.
Questions from this Section
What causes the glowing waters described at Kumbalangi?
2 Marks
How to answer:
State the phenomenon and its direct explanation.
View Answer
Answer: The source explains that bioluminescence from a high concentration of micro-planktons makes the water appear to glow at night.
Why is the glowing-water phenomenon a good example of ‘scientific intrigue with the magic of folklore’?
3 Marks
How to answer:
Explain what the detail shows beyond the basic fact.
View Answer
Answer: The sight looks magical because the water shines in darkness, yet the text gives a biological explanation involving light-producing organisms. The experience feels mysterious while remaining scientifically explainable.
