It has been several months since I last ventured into the forest. My personal commitments kept me occupied, and being more of a daytime person, I rarely ventured into the woods after dark due to safety concerns. The only exception was when I had the opportunity to explore the Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary at night, accompanied by Vinod and a group of snake experts.
When Vinod and Jude, a wildlife videographer, were presented with the chance to explore Kanniyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary at night, they eagerly seized the opportunity. Their excursion took place shortly after a period of rain in August. However, despite their enthusiasm, the duo returned from their night expedition without having come across anything particularly captivating or noteworthy.
During the month of September, Kanniyakumari district received some much-needed and consistent rainfall. This prompted Vinod and Jude to embark on another expedition to the sanctuary. Vinod was very particular to be part of anything that brings to light the biodiversity of Kanniyakumari wildlife sanctuary as part of his grand aim for Kanniyakumari nature foundation. This time, their adventure led them to witness a remarkable and rare occurrence: the sighting of bioluminescent mushrooms within a bamboo grove.
As their eyes gradually adapted to the nighttime darkness, they began to spot numerous patches of these glowing mushrooms. Vinod was filled with exhilaration at this extraordinary sight, and he expressed a strong desire for me to share in the same incredible experience.
Although I had a strong desire to witness the mesmerizing glow of the mushrooms, my hesitancy grew due to my responsibilities as a new parent, as I hadn’t ventured out of the house with the newborn in my arms. The rarity of this spectacle depended on specific weather conditions, so I had to make a quick decision. We shared news of this remarkable sighting with our nature-loving friend, Dharshini, who also expressed keen interest in visiting the forest to witness this incredible natural phenomenon. After receiving some encouraging words and reassurance from Vinod, I mustered the confidence to take the baby with me for a nighttime forest expedition.
After nightfall night, Vinod, the baby, and I set out for Kanniyakumari wildlife sanctuary, picking up Dharshini on our way. Our shared excitement was palpable as we anticipated the sight of these intriguing mushrooms. Upon our arrival at the destination, Vinod took charge of looking after the baby, while Dharshini and I were joined by Jude, who was staying there to capture video footage of the mushrooms.
For me, the experience of walking in the forest in that region at night was a first, and it was in itself exhilarating. Fireflies flitted about, their intermittent rests creating the illusion of glowing mushrooms scattered on the ground.
After a few minutes of walking, we came across a cluster of mushrooms nestled among the bamboo. As our eyes acclimated to the darkness, the true luminescence of these mushrooms became apparent. The moonlight that night was particularly brilliant, so we ventured deeper into the bamboo grove to explore an even darker area. With the sound of flowing water nearby, we found ourselves standing within a bamboo thicket, enveloped by the enchanting glow of bioluminescent mushrooms. Suddenly, it was as if we had been transported to an entirely different realm. As my eyes fully adjusted, I could discern countless more mushrooms illuminating the surrounding darkness.
Most of the glowing mushrooms were concentrated on the bamboo stalks, with only a few tiny ones scattered on the forest floor. Among them, there was a notably large mushroom emitting spores into the night. Our curiosity led us to venture further into the grove, where we encountered another cluster of these bioluminescent marvels. While Dharshini and I were utterly captivated by this spectacle, Jude pointed out that the glow of the mushrooms seemed somewhat diminished compared to what he had observed the previous day. Nevertheless, for newcomers like us, the experience itself was priceless.
After spending a few more minutes taking in the tranquil surroundings, we began our journey back. Along the way, we stumbled upon a solitary branch adorned with bioluminescent mushrooms, which were now at eye level. Intrigued, we approached the branch and closely observed these radiant mushrooms. Our close examination allowed us to appreciate the intricate details of the mushroom.
The bioluminescent species we had the privilege of observing was the Mycena chlorophos, marking the first recorded sighting of this mushroom in Tamil Nadu. While there had been a few documented observations in the Western Ghats, specifically in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Goa, Tamil Nadu had not been included in these records.
Our experience served as a reminder of how accustomed we had become to artificial streetlights and torches, causing us to overlook the beauty of natural nocturnal illumination. Although these sightings were highly seasonal, the older generations residing in the area possessed knowledge of this unique mushroom. In contrast, the younger generation, accustomed to modern lighting, remained unaware of the existence of this extraordinary natural phenomenon.
In the daylight, these mushrooms appear indistinguishable from ordinary mushrooms. It’s only during the nighttime that they unleash their radiant glow, a clever strategy to utilize their energy efficiently and entice insects for the purpose of dispersing their spores. Dharshini and I found immense satisfaction in our sightings, and I was profoundly grateful to Vinod for motivating me to step out and witness this extraordinary facet of nature. Now that we had witnessed it firsthand, I held hope that this phenomenon would begin to reveal itself in numerous other locations across Tamil Nadu.