RethaT8259798 at 19:23, 25 March 2026

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{{Short description|Tea gardens in West Bengal, India}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Dooars-Terai tea gardens
| alt_name =
| photo = File:Tea garden in dooars.jpg
| photo_width =
| photo_caption = Hila Tea Garden in Nagrakata CD block
| type =
| location = [[Jalpaiguri division]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| nearest_city =
| map =
| area = {{convert|97280|ha}}
| open = {{Start date|1862}}
| elevation = {{convert|90 to 1750|m}}
| owner =
| operator =
| visitation_num =
| status =
| website =
}}
'''Dooars-Terai tea gardens''' refers to the [[tea garden]]s in the [[Dooars]] and [[Terai]] regions in the [[Jalpaiguri Division]] of [[West Bengal]], [[India]]

==History==
When the British were exploring for prospective areas to grow tea in India, the [[Darjeeling Himalayan hill region]] appeared to be one of the possible sites. Located at altitudes ranging from {{convert|600 to 2000|m}} and having an annual average rainfall of around {{convert|309|cm}}, it had the advantage of locational climate and soil conditions. There were experiments from the early 1800s, followed by commercial cultivation around 1853. By 1874, there were 113 gardens in Darjeeling district. The rapid growth of the tea industry from the earliest days inspired planters to try out tea cultivation in the adjoining [[Terai]] region and James White set up the first Terai plantation in 1862 at Champta, the first [[Dooars]] garden came up at Gazalduba and by 1876, the area had 13 plantations. The altitude in the tea-growing areas of the Dooars-Terai region range from {{convert|90 to 1750|m}} and receives an annual rainfall of around {{convert|350| cm}}. The tea grown in the Dooars-Terai region has the distinction of having "a bright, smooth and full-bodied liquor that’s a wee bit lighter than Assam tea".<ref name="ita">{{cite web | url =https://www.indiatea.org/tea_growing_regions | title =Tea Growing Regions | work =Dooars and Terai | publisher =Indian Tea Association | access-date =18 July 2020 | archive-date =27 November 2020 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20201127140540/https://www.indiatea.org/tea_growing_regions | url-status =live }}</ref><ref name="teaboard">{{cite web| url = http://www.teaboard.gov.in/TEABOARDCSM/MTA=| title = Dooars-Terai| publisher = Tea Board India| access-date = 19 July 2020| archive-date = 2 July 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200702111201/http://teaboard.gov.in/TEABOARDCSM/MTA=| url-status = live}}</ref> The region produces [[Crush, tear, curl|CTC]] tea.<ref name="goodricke">{{cite web | url = http://www.goodricke.com/about | title = Overview | publisher = Goodricke | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 3 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200703231143/http://www.goodricke.com/about | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Tea gardens==
Tea plantations in the region are spread over {{convert|97280|ha}}. The region produces 226 million kg of tea, accounting for about a quarter of India's total tea crop.<ref name="ita"/> There are 154 gardens in the [[Dooars]] out of 283 tea gardens in north Bengal that employ 3.5 lakh workers.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/kolkata-stick-with-your-didi-cm-tells-tea-garden-workers-in-dooars/story-wZIhxPtRH86een5G8iQJvO.html | title = Kolkata: Stick with your did, CM tells tea garden workers in Dooars | publisher = Hindustan Times, 5 November 2015 | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 10 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200710003837/https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/kolkata-stick-with-your-didi-cm-tells-tea-garden-workers-in-dooars/story-wZIhxPtRH86een5G8iQJvO.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Cultivation of tea in the Dooars was primarily pioneered and promoted by the British but there was significant contribution of Indian entrepreneurs.<ref name="teaboard"/> (<small>#The figure can vary, as per source.</small>)

In 1859, a young Scottish merchant, Walter Duncan, started business ventures in India. Initiated as Playfair Duncan company, it grew as Duncan Brothers. The Goenka family took over Duncan Brothers in 1951, and under the leadership of G.P. Goenka, diversified substantially and emerged as one of the top business houses in the country. The Tea Division of Duncans has nine tea gardens in the Dooars – [[Birpara Tea Garden|Birpara]], Hantapara, Dumchipara, Lankapara, Tulsipara, Garganda, Killot, Nagaisuri, [[Bagrakote|Bagracote]] – and one garden in the Terai region at Gungram. The company has been regularly carrying out uprooting, replanting and rejuvenation of tea areas. It has high quality clonal gardens and has expanded substantially over the years.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.duncans-tea.com/about.htm | title = Duncan Goenka Group | work = About Us | publisher = Duncan | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 31 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200731100008/http://www.duncans-tea.com/about.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.duncans-tea.com/tea.htm | title = Tea Garden | publisher = Duncans | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 31 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200731211244/http://duncans-tea.com/tea.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

Established in 1977, [[Goodricke Group Limited|Goodricke]] owns 18 tea estates in India, all inherited from sterling tea companies, who operated from the late 1800s. Goodricke has 12 gardens in the [[Dooars]]. Goodricke's tea gardens in the Dooars are: [[Danguajhar Tea Estate|Danguajhar]], [[Meenglas and Leesh River Tea Estates|Leesh River]], [[Meenglas and Leesh River Tea Estates|Meenglas]], [[Hope and Jiti Tea Estates|Hope]], [[Chalouni, Aibheel and Chalsa Tea Estates|Aibheel]], [[Chalouni, Aibheel and Chalsa Tea Estates|Chulsa]], [[Chalouni, Aibheel and Chalsa Tea Estates|Chalouni]], [[Hope and Jiti Tea Estates|Jiti]], [[Kumargram and Sankos Tea Estates|Sankos]], [[Gandrapara and Lakhipara Tea Estates|Gandrapara]], [[Gandrapara and Lakhipara Tea Estates|Lakhipara]] and [[Kumargram and Sankos Tea Estates|Kumargram]].<ref name="goodricke"/> Eight sterling tea companies viz., The Assam-Doors Tea Co. Ltd., Hope Tea Co. Ltd., The Lebong Chulsa Tea Co. Ltd., The British Darjeeling Tea Co. Ltd., The Chulsa Tea Co. Ltd., The Leesh River Tea Co. Ltd., The Danguajhar Tea Co. Ltd., and The Meenglas Tea Co. Ltd., were amalgamated with Goodricke in 1977.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.goodreturns.in/company/goodricke-group/history.html | title = Goodricke Group Limited – Company history and annual growth details | publisher = | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 5 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200705005656/https://www.goodreturns.in/company/goodricke-group/history.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

Incorporated in 1945, Jay Shree Tea and Manufacturing Ltd., owned by the B.K.Birla group, is the third-largest tea producer in the world with 22 tea estates spread across India and East Africa.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://jayshreetea.in/ | title = About Jay Shree Tea and Industries | publisher = Jay Shree Tea & Industries Ltd. | access-date = 8 March 2020 | archive-date = 8 March 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200308065650/http://jayshreetea.in/ | url-status = live }}</ref> It owns [[Aryaman Tea Estate]]. The other tea gardens of the Jay Shree Tea & Industries Ltd. in the Dooars-Terai region are: Kumarika, Marionbarie and Jayantika.<ref name="tea1">{{cite web| url = http://jayshreetea.in/tea-gardens/dooars-and-terai/aryaman/| title = Aryaman| publisher = Jay Shree Tea & Industries Ltd.| access-date = 19 July 2020| archive-date = 6 July 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200706155347/http://jayshreetea.in/tea-gardens/dooars-and-terai/aryaman/| url-status = live}}</ref>

[[Gurjangjhora Tea Garden]] belongs to the Kalyani group. Other tea estates of the Kalyani group in the Dooars region are Saraswatipur Tea Estate and Choulbari Tea Estate.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kalyanitea.com/aboutus.html | title = Gurjangjhora Tea & Industries Ltd. | publisher = Kalyanitea.com | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 19 October 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191019132754/http://www.kalyanitea.com/aboutus.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The [[Luxmi Estates|Luxmi Group]], founded in 1912, owns 25 tea estates spread across India and Africa. It has a garden at Fulbari, Naxalbari, in the Terai region.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.luxmigroup.in/ | title = Luxmi Tea | publisher = Luxmi Group | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719070403/http://www.luxmigroup.in/ | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Gillanders Arbuthnot & Co. Ltd.]], owned by the Kothari Group, has two gardens in the Dooars-Terai region: Gairkhata, Nagrakata and Taipoo, Bagdogra.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gillandersarbuthnot.com/tea.php | title = Gillanders Arbuthnot & Co. Ltd. | publisher = Kothari Group | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719071045/http://www.gillandersarbuthnot.com/tea.php | url-status = live }}</ref> The Palchoudhuri family owns the [[Mohorgon Tea Garden|Mohurgong & Gulma Tea Estates]] and Washarabarie Tea Estate.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.tofler.in/washabarie-tea-co-pvt-ltd/company/U01132WB1958PTC024072| title = Washabarie Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd.| publisher = Tofler| access-date = 19 July 2020| archive-date = 19 July 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719051049/https://www.tofler.in/washabarie-tea-co-pvt-ltd/company/U01132WB1958PTC024072| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://robuststaging.biz/index.html | title = We make tea | publisher = Gulma Tea | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719065626/http://robuststaging.biz/index.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Andrew Yule & Co. Ltd., established in 1863, has tea gardens in Dooars at Karbala, Banarhat, Choonabhutti and New Dooars.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.andrewyule.com/group_business.php | title =Group Business | publisher =Andrew Yule & Co. Ltd. | access-date =18 June 2020 | archive-date =28 June 2020 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20200628022752/http://www.andrewyule.com/group_business.php | url-status =live }}</ref>

==Export potential==
In 2016, India accounted for a fourth of the global tea production but secured only a little over a tenth of the tea exports. 60% of India's tea exports are CTC tea.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/indias-tea-industry-is-struggling-to-move-up-the-value-chain/articleshow/65456045.cms?from=mdr | title = India's tea industry is struggling to move up the value chain | publisher = The Economic Times, 19 August 2018 | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 20 January 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054216/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/indias-tea-industry-is-struggling-to-move-up-the-value-chain/articleshow/65456045.cms?from=mdr | url-status = live }}</ref> India is losing out in the international market to other countries, such as Kenya, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and even Bangladesh, who have lower cost of production. Within the country tea prices have been stagnant, while costs have risen by 60 per cent in five years prior to 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/13-years-too-late-for-many-in-north-bengals-tea-gardens/ | title = 13 years too late for many in North Bengal's tea gardens | work = Bagrakote Tea Garden in Jalpaiguri district | first = Esha | last = Roy | publisher = The Indian Express, 22 November 2015 | access-date = 16 July 2020 | archive-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719051606/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/13-years-too-late-for-many-in-north-bengals-tea-gardens/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Unviable operations==
As of 2019, the minimum daily wage of tea garden workers is Rs. 176 per day, as compared with Rs. 297 earned by bidi workers.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://scroll.in/article/940717/photo-feature-struggle-and-hope-in-the-tea-gardens-of-the-dooars| title = Struggle and hope in the tea gardens of the Dooars| publisher = Scroll.in, 16 November 2019| access-date = 19 July 2020| archive-date = 17 July 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200717030908/https://scroll.in/article/940717/photo-feature-struggle-and-hope-in-the-tea-gardens-of-the-dooars| url-status = live}}</ref> This too has come as an interim measure, after the Dooars tea workers have been agitating for higher wages, as well as better facilities for education and healthcare.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://thewire.in/rights/bengal-tea-gardens-workers-rights | title = The Bitter Plight of Bengal's Tea Garden Workers | publisher = The Wire | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 20 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200720012216/https://thewire.in/rights/bengal-tea-gardens-workers-rights | url-status = live }}</ref>

As per industry sources, labour cost is about 60 per cent of the cost of production of tea. As cost of labour rises, tea garden operations are becoming increasingly unviable. Between 2002 and 2007, 17 tea gardens shut down in the Dooars and the renowned Goenka Duncans group recently shut down 7 tea gardens. The latter alone lead to the loss of employment for around 25,000 workers. At least 1,200 deaths have been reported in the area.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/tea-garden-closures-in-dooars-could-reduce-output-by-50-mn-kg-116040100921_1.html| title = Tea-garde closures in the Dooars could reduce output by 50 million kg| publisher = Business Standard, 1 April 2016| access-date = 8 July 2020| archive-date = 10 July 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200710224837/https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/tea-garden-closures-in-dooars-could-reduce-output-by-50-mn-kg-116040100921_1.html| url-status = live}}</ref>
Under the Financial Assistance to Workers of Locked Out Industries (FAWLOI) scheme, the West Bengal government provides a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to each permanent worker of the locked out gardens. This at least takes care of bare meals and helps in mitigating the threats of starvation deaths.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/coronavirus-lokdown-dole-eludes-workers-in-shut-tea-gardens/cid/1778768| title = Dole eludes workers in shut tea gardens| publisher = The Telegraph, 5 June 2020| access-date = 19 July 2020| archive-date = 19 July 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719113753/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/coronavirus-lokdown-dole-eludes-workers-in-shut-tea-gardens/cid/1778768| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/west-bengal-news/people-of-dheklapara-haapy/articleshow/32282132.cms | title = দু'বেলা সাদা ভাত মিলছে, ঘর হয়েছে, নিশ্চিন্ত ঢেকলাপাড়া (A house and two meals assured in Dheklapara) | work = in Bengali | publisher = Ei Samay, 19 March 2014 | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 17 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200717085715/https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/west-bengal-news/people-of-dheklapara-haapy/articleshow/32282132.cms | url-status = live }}</ref>

Among the closed tea gardens are: Kathalguri, Ramjhora, Redbank, Surendranagar, Chamurchi, Raipur, Bamandanga-Tondu, [[Samsing]], Chinchula, Shikarpur-Bhandarpur, Bharnobary, Malnady, Kalchini & Roymatang and [[Dheklapara Tea Garden|Dheklapara]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.cec-india.org/libpdf/1437543260Behind-Closed-and-Abandoned-Tea-Gardens-Status-Report-of-India,-2007.pdf | title = Behind Closed and Abandoned Tea Gardens- Status Report of India | publisher = Centre for Education and Communication | access-date = 21 July 2020 | archive-date = 21 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200721154702/https://www.cec-india.org/libpdf/1437543260Behind-Closed-and-Abandoned-Tea-Gardens-Status-Report-of-India,-2007.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> An official release of the Press Information Bureau, Government of India, notified the following gardens as closed: [[Madhu Tea Garden]], [[Dheklapara Tea Garden|Dheklapara]], [[Bandapani Tea Garden|Bundapani]], Dharanipur, Redbank, Surendranagar, [[Panighatta|Panighata]] and Manabarrie.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1578137 | title = Tea Gardens | publisher = PIB, 10 July 2019 | access-date = 11 June 2020 | archive-date = 2 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200602101645/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1578137 | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Improving brand value==
According to a study carried out by the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, the tea produced by the plantations of North Bengal (Dooars area) do not have the brand value of [[Darjeeling tea]] or [[Assam tea]]. Around 2002-2004 the industry faced a crisis and at least 22 plantations were closed down in Jalpaiguri district, affecting 21,000 permanent workers and impacting a much larger population.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.cry.org/resources/pdf/LabourConditions_IIM_report.pdf | title = Study of Labour condition in Tea Gardens of New Jalpaiguri | publisher = Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 2 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200702100842/https://www.cry.org/resources/pdf/LabourConditions_IIM_report.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/tea-garden-closed/cid/1525759 | title = Tea garden closed | publisher = The Telegraph, 9 February 2017 | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 2 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200702012212/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/tea-garden-closed/cid/1525759 | url-status = live }}</ref> The Indian Tea Association has floated an idea whereby 10 gardens, of the total 290 in the Dooars region, have been identified and they will brand their produce under the brand name Dooars Robusta. It is felt that this would enhance their brand value.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/tea-industry-proposes-new-marketing-effort-117121200053_1.html | title = Tea Industry proposes new marketing effort | publisher = | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719063700/https://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/tea-industry-proposes-new-marketing-effort-117121200053_1.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

==Workers==
[[File:Rangamati Tea Estate Cemetery, Chaibasa, Malbazar, Jalpaiguri district 08.jpg|left|thumb|Rangamati Tea Estate European Cemetery]]

Adivasis from Chotanagpur form a sizeable section of the workers in the tea gardens in the area. Dumka, Hazaribagh, Ranchi and Chaibasa formed one of the biggest catchment areas for tea garden labour in the twilight years of the 19th century. “The notorious coolie trade under colonial rule exploited the dispossession, indebtedness and despair of Adivasis to transport them, often by force or deception, as far as Assam or the Dooars – or even further afield to plantations in Trinidad, Guyana, South Africa and Malaya. A century and a half later, these communities are on the move again. The moribund economy of the Dooars region has rendered these communities vulnerable yet again.”<ref>{{cite web | url = https://scroll.in/article/940717/photo-feature-struggle-and-hope-in-the-tea-gardens-of-the-dooars | title = Struggle and hope in the Dooars | work = Anirban Bhattacharya, Rupam Deb & Cheena Kapoor | publisher = Scroll.in, 16 November 2019 | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 17 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200717030908/https://scroll.in/article/940717/photo-feature-struggle-and-hope-in-the-tea-gardens-of-the-dooars | url-status = live }}</ref> Apart from the Adivasis, many tea garden workers are Nepali and Rajbanshi.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/apr/07/lok-sabha-elections-2019-tea-labourers-plight-main-issue-in-scenic-alipurduar-1961361.html | title = Lok Sabha elections 2019: labourers' plight main issue in scenic Alipurduar | publisher = The Indian Express 2019 | access-date = 18 June 2020 | archive-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200719063700/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/apr/07/lok-sabha-elections-2019-tea-labourers-plight-main-issue-in-scenic-alipurduar-1961361.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Nepalis comprise 10% of the workers.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Shut-tea-gardens-open-new-equations/articleshow/51448513.cms | title = Shut tea gardens open new equations | publisher = The Times of India, 18 March 2016 | access-date = 19 July 2020 | archive-date = 20 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200720013124/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Shut-tea-gardens-open-new-equations/articleshow/51448513.cms | url-status = live }}</ref> Several European Tea estate owner and manager were died there due to black fever and malaria, they were buried in [[Rangamati Tea Estate Cemetery]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Treasure hunters after old graves |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/treasure-hunters-after-old-graves/cid/624555 |access-date=2 June 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

{{Jalpaiguri topics}}
{{Alipurduar topics}}

[[Category:Tea industry in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Jalpaiguri district]]
[[Category:Alipurduar district]]

Dooars-Terai tea gardens - Revision history

RethaT8259798 at 19:23, 25 March 2026