Tea may be among the world’s most beloved beverages, but for thousands of women labourers in the tea gardens of North Bengal, cultivating it is becoming a relentless struggle. Increasingly harsh weather, stagnant wages, and wildlife threats are turning daily work into a test of endurance.
Lakshmi Kujur, a tea plucker at the Mohurgong and Gulma tea estate near Siliguri, continues her backbreaking work in punishing heat to support her family. The tea garden, just 14 km from Siliguri and adjacent to the Sukna forest, is one of many where women workers brave searing temperatures and unpredictable rainfall. “There is no shade in the gardens. Summers are becoming more intense. During April and May, I often suffer from headaches or vomiting due to the heat—but I have to keep working,” said Kujur, who lost her husband.
Beyond the climate challenges, the threat of leopard encounters is ever-present. The dense tea bushes often serve as hiding spots for wild animals. Kujur recalls an incident in August 2023 when a co-worker, Poonam Oraon, was injured by a leopard and hospitalized for a month.
Women like Kujur spend nearly nine months annually plucking tea leaves, with the rest of the year spent on maintenance tasks such as soil preparation and garden cleaning. Despite the demanding labour, their daily wage remains just ₹250.
“There was talk of wage revision in 2015, but nothing changed,” said Gautam Ghosh of the Darjeeling District Chiya Kaman Mazdoor Union. He also highlighted the lack of childcare facilities. “Some women have to hang their children in makeshift cradles tied to tree branches because there are no crèches,” he said.
Climate Change Impacting Tea Yields
The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible in North Bengal’s tea industry. Erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, and higher average temperatures are contributing to declining yields and lower-quality tea.
Jaideep Singh, superintendent manager of Rungamatee tea garden in Jalpaiguri, noted that rainfall during the monsoon is no longer evenly distributed. “Even if the total rainfall is the same, it now comes in short, intense bursts instead of being spread out. The dry spells during the cold months have worsened,” he said.
Rungamatee, part of Amalgamated Plantations, is among many estates affected. “Last year, both Assam and Darjeeling saw declines in both yield and quality. The flavour and aroma have deteriorated,” Singh added.
The health of tea bushes is also under threat. Increased pest infestations are forcing farmers to rely more on chemical sprays. Jalpaiguri-based small grower Rajesh Roy shared that many growers opt for chemical pesticides over herbal alternatives due to cost. “A litre of herbal spray costs ₹3,000, while chemical options are around ₹700-800. I sell my tea at ₹35 per kilo, unlike big estates which can charge ₹80-90,” he explained.
Water scarcity adds to the woes, with young bushes particularly affected. Without sufficient pre-monsoon showers, soil moisture drops and groundwater levels recede, harming not only tea but other crops like potatoes and paddy.
Sustainable Solutions and Market Gaps
Some estates are taking proactive steps. Makaibari tea estate, for example, has adopted a fully organic model. “Last year, we had 78 days with temperatures over 30°C. Tea is a rain-fed crop—it needs balanced weather,” said garden manager Sanjay Das. The estate uses mulching and intercropping to conserve soil and manage sudden rainfall.
Mihir Gandhi, founder of Kolkata-based Cuppa Trade, emphasized the lack of market and policy support. “Tea is the second-most consumed drink globally after water, and it employs millions of women. Yet, it receives little attention,” he said. Gandhi stressed the need for better marketing and sustainable practices like intercropping with pepper or dragon fruit.
Darjeeling’s tea production has halved over the last decade—from 12 million kg to 6 million. Gandhi believes targeted funding and ecological farming could help reverse the trend.
A Precarious Future
As climate challenges intensify and labour concerns remain unresolved, several tea gardens in North Bengal are edging towards closure. In some abandoned estates, workers have attempted to run operations independently by selling plucked leaves directly. But without institutional support, their future remains uncertain.
For women like Lakshmi Kujur, the struggle continues—between the unforgiving sun, meagre wages, and an uncertain future. Yet, their daily efforts keep the world’s teacups full—at a high personal cost.
