Tea Tribes in India and Tea Cultivation

Context: The West Bengal government has allowed 30% of tea garden land to be used for purposes other than tea cultivation. Unions and opposition are criticizing the move, stating that it threatens indigenous groups/ Tea Tribes.

About Tea Tribes

• Tea Tribes are indigenous and migrant communities mainly working in tea plantations, particularly in Assam and West Bengal.
• Many tea tribes are descendants of Adivasis brought from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh by the British during the 19th century to work in tea plantations.
• They form a significant portion of the tea garden workforce.
• Despite their contribution to the tea industry, they face poverty, illiteracy, low wages and poor living conditions.
• Major Tea Tribe Communities: Munda, Oraon, Santhal, Kora, Gond, Kharia, Lohar, Bhumij.

About Tea

• Tea is one of the oldest and most widely consumed beverages in the world.
• It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
• Tea plantations use shade trees to protect plants from excessive sunlight.

Climatic Conditions Required

• Temperature: 20°C to 30°C (Ideal for growth).
• Rainfall: 150-300 cm annually (well-distributed).
• Altitude: Grows well in hilly regions (600-2000 m above sea level).
• Tea plants are sensitive to frost.

Soil Requirements

• Well-drained loamy soil with good aeration.
• Rich in organic matter and iron content.

Tea Production

• Top Producing Countries: (1) China (2) India (3) Kenya (4) Sri Lanka
• Top Tea Producing States: (1) Assam (2) West Bengal (3) Tamil Nadu (4) Kerala (5)Karnataka.
  • Other Tea-producing states: Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur and Nagaland.

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