Ecologist Eklabya Sharma Says Climate Change Evident in Himalayas, Affecting Tea Gardens

What's Happening

Ecologist Eklabya Sharma states that climate change is particularly evident in the Himalayas, with glaciers melting and precipitation patterns becoming unprecedented, impacting the tea industry. The Tea Board of India reported that Darjeeling tea production has decreased to 5.25 million kilograms last year from a peak of 14 million kilograms. Tea estate owners Satish Mitruka and Rishi Saria have cited changing weather patterns and prolonged drought as damaging the bushes and affecting tea quality.

How We Got Here

According to the Tea Board of India, production in Darjeeling's 87 estates has decreased from a peak of 14 million kilograms per year to 5.25 million kilograms last year. This marked a significant decline in output for the region. In late February, plucking the first flush of tea leaves began in Darjeeling, but extremely dry winters were damaging the bushes and flavor. On a misty March day, Satish Mitruka, owner of Nurbong Tea Garden, stated that Darjeeling is a dying industry because of changing weather patterns and climate change. Rishi Saria, whose family runs the Gopaldhara and Rohini tea estates, said that in the last five years, they have had only one normal year of rainfall, with four years of drought, which affects the quality of the first flush tea. Most recently, ecologist Eklabya Sharma, based in Siliguri, West Bengal, stated that climate change is particularly evident in the Himalayas, with glaciers melting and precipitation patterns becoming unprecedented, which impacts the tea industry. This series of developments underscores the ongoing challenges facing Darjeeling tea production.

Timeline

• Tea Board of India reports Darjeeling tea production declined to 5.25 million kilograms last year
• First flush tea plucking began in late February in Darjeeling
• Rishi Saria claims Darjeeling had four years of drought in last five, damaging tea quality
• Satish Mitruka claims Darjeeling tea industry is dying due to climate change
• Ecologist Eklabya Sharma claims climate change is evident in the Himalayas, affecting tea gardens