Crisis brewing in Darjeeling's tea gardens; several owners looking to sell

In the last three years, 20 gardens have changed hands, and 90 per cent of the buyers are from non-tea background

In 2015, Prime Minister Naren­d­ra Modi presented Queen Eliz­abeth an award-winning variety from the Makaibari estate on his visit to the United Kingdom. Last month, the “Champagne of teas” made it to the G20 hamper for world leaders, along with Sunderban honey, Araku Valley coffee, and saffron from Kashmir — items representing the unique biodiversity of the country.

No doubt, Darjeeling tea sits snugly among products that represent the best India. But there is trouble brewing in the 87-odd gardens that produce the golden elixir. Myriad challenges, from lower production to muted demand, and falling prices to labour absenteeism are