As operations halt, Darjeeling tea gardens stare at losses of ₹340 cr
Indefinite bandh called by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha stops work at 87 tea gardens in the region, leaves crop due for harvest prone to pest attacks
Since the plucking of tea leaves has stopped for the last 12 days (on account of the indefinite bandh), there has been an undergrowth in the bushes, making the crop more vulnerable to pest attacks. SANDEEP MUKHERJEE, principal adviser to the Darjeeling Tea Association
DARJEELING: The turmoil in the Darjeeling hills over the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state has hit its famed tea gardens hard, with the local tea industry looking at a revenue loss of ₹340 crore, officials say.
An indefinite shutdown called by trade unions affiliated to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which is spearheading the protests to press for carving a separate state out of West Bengal, has brought operations to a grinding halt in the 87 tea gardens of the region.
Sandeep Mukherjee, principal adviser to the Darjeeling Tea Association, told Hindustan Times that the disruption has seriously affected the ‘second flush’ crop harvested in the second round of plucking of tea leaves.
The ‘second flush’ crop, which is usually harvested around this time, accounts for 20% of Darjeeling’s tea production and 40% of its revenue.
Darjeeling’s tea is exported in large volumes and its buyers include the Japanese royal family and famous departmental stores such as Harrods in London, United Kingdom.
“Since plucking of leaves has stopped for the last 12 days, there has been an undergrowth in bushes, making the crop more vulnerable to pest attacks,” Mukherjee said.
Tea association officials said the indefinite strike in Darjeeling may result in empty tea shelves in stores around the world.
Darjeeling has been in upheaval since June 8 after the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha revived its call for a separate state, prompting thousands of demonstrators to take to the streets in support of Gorkhaland.
The protests have hit normal life and have also led to the death of at least three protesters.
The demand for a separate Gorkhaland is an emotive issue in the hills of north Bengal with Gorkhas complaining of their identity and culture being swamped by Bengalis.
Stoppage of work at the tea gardens for a day leads to a 1% loss in its annual production, Mukherjee explained.
He said that the gardens have already lost 11% revenue and 40% of their exports due to the current unrest.
The Darjeeling tea industry employs more than 75,000 people and more than two lakh people are dependent on them.
Calling for a quick solution to the statehood crisis, Mukherjee said the “entire ‘second flush’ crop of tea was in danger if the shutdown continued”.
“This is an industry that provides mass employment and all stakeholders must help to keep the industry alive,” he said.
Though Darjeeling accounts for only 1% of the country’s tea produce, its flavour has won it connoisseurs all over the world. Last year, the hills produced 8.2 million kg of tea, 60% of which was organic.