Tea Estates in Kalimpong District: A Descriptive Note

 

Tea Estates in Kalimpong District: A Descriptive Note

1. Introduction

Kalimpong district, situated in the northern part of West Bengal, forms an important segment of the eastern Himalayan tea-growing belt. Bifurcated from the erstwhile Darjeeling district in 2017, Kalimpong encompasses rich agro-climatic conditions conducive to the cultivation of high-quality Camellia sinensis var. sinensis — the variety associated with authentic Darjeeling Tea. The tea estates of this region occupy a distinct ecological and economic niche between the Darjeeling Hills and the Dooars plains.

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2. Geographical Setting

The tea-growing areas of Kalimpong are concentrated primarily in the Gorubathan, Lava, and Algarah ranges, lying between 26°52′N to 27°08′N latitude and 88°28′E to 88°42′E longitude.
The estates are located at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 6,700 feet above mean sea level, where the cool temperature, high humidity, and well-distributed rainfall (2,500–3,000 mm annually) foster the slow growth of tender tea leaves rich in aroma and flavour. The hilly terrain, loamy soils, and mist-laden environment contribute to the characteristic muscatel flavour typical of Darjeeling teas.

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3. Major Tea Estates

Some of the notable tea estates within Kalimpong district include:

1. Samabeong Tea Estate – Located in Gorubathan block, this organic-certified garden (5,000–6,700 ft) is renowned for producing fine, floral Darjeeling teas.

2. Ambiok Tea Estate – Situated near Lava–Gorubathan, it is a sister garden to Samabeong, practicing sustainable and biodynamic farming.

3. Upper Fagu Tea Estate – Located near Lower Fagu and Samsing, producing both orthodox and green teas.

4. Mission Hill Tea Estate – Near Algarah, a mid-elevation estate producing classic orthodox Darjeeling leaf.

5. Kumai Tea Garden – Located near Kumai village, integrating tea cultivation with emerging agro-tourism ventures.

6. Burbung and Tunglabong (Mission Division) – Smaller estates producing limited but high-grade orthodox teas.

These estates form part of the Darjeeling Tea GI (Geographical Indication) Zone, legally protected under the Tea Board of India and the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement.

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4. Economic and Social Significance

Tea cultivation serves as a cornerstone of Kalimpong’s rural economy. The estates provide employment to a large section of the local population, particularly the Lepcha, Nepali, and Bhutia communities. Employment includes plucking, processing, packaging, and maintenance of tea bushes. Many gardens also support tea tourism, offering homestay facilities and guided tours, thereby diversifying income sources and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Women constitute over 60% of the workforce in the tea plantations, reflecting both socio-economic dependency and empowerment in rural hill society.

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5. Environmental and Sustainability Aspects

Most of the tea gardens in Kalimpong practice organic and eco-friendly cultivation. Use of bio-manure, vermicomposting, and integrated pest management has minimized ecological degradation. The estates often preserve surrounding forest buffers and water sources, maintaining biodiversity in the Himalayan foothill ecosystem.

However, challenges remain in the form of labour welfare, land ownership disputes, and infrastructure limitations, especially in remote estates like Samabeong and Ambiok where road connectivity and processing logistics are constrained.

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6. Conclusion

The tea estates of Kalimpong district, though smaller in scale than those of Darjeeling, represent an integral component of India’s premium tea industry. They combine heritage cultivation techniques with sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to both the local economy and global recognition of Darjeeling Tea. In addition, the fusion of tea production and tourism has positioned Kalimpong as an emerging centre of agro-ecological development in the Eastern Himalayas.