Heat wave emerging out as big worry in Bengal tea belt

SILIGURI: Prevailing heat-wave over Dooars or Terai in Sub Himalayan West Bengal region has put Tea planters, under deep worry. Experts fear the production to take a nose dive soon causing immense damage to the local economy.

According to the Meteorological record, mercury in the entire sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim region including Terai or Dooars in the foothills has already crossed the long term average figures. Against long term maximum average of around 32 Degree Celsius for this period, the actual reading has gone even 4Degree higher than that. Though rainfall in the region from 1st March to 20th May was recorded as 14% higher than the normal figure of 339mm, in negative side, the distribution of that since 15th May did not remain uniformly widespread. “Temperature wise, the upward trend has been noticed to be is very pronounced during recent past. This is something important,” said meteorologists.

Tea gardens are predominantly dependent on own irrigation set up. But, “Not all can maintain this expensive measure properly, especially the small tea growers those who contribute over 35% to the total yield,” said B. G. Chakraborty, President CISTA..

According to many senior members of Tea Association of India, overall production has already gone down in the tune of 25% to 30%. The yield in May is also likely to get badly affected due to the scenario.

While explaining the technical side of the crisis, eminent tea scientist Dr. S. E. Kabir said, “Tea plant is basically a chill loving one. Excessive heat denaturizes plant proteins and causes reduction in photosynthesis those severely retard growth of new leaves. Most of the tea plantations of the region have already started suffering due to this.”

More importantly, higher than average temperature increases this multiplication rate of harmful mites and insects like Red Spider. “These parasites suck out the leave juice and kill it,” said Dr. Kabeer. As a matter of fact, in few gardens along NH34, tea bushes have already started becoming red due to large colonies of the spider.

As obvious, pesticide usage is bound to go up to tackle this. But, “Even over 15% - 20% increase in pesticide usage may not yield proper result,” said senior planter from Terai region Mr. S Seal.

Over 450 organized gardens and around 30,000 small plantations in the region produce over 220 Million kg tea in a year. Being a major pillar of local economy, here tea provides employment to over 4 lakh heads and indirect support to additional around 25 lakh heads.