Introduction:Did you know that in the tea gardens of India’s Assam and Darjeeling, it’s not just the aroma of tea that fills the air, but also an oasis where humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously? This article takes an in-depth look at two representative tea estates: Banaspaty Organic Tea Estate, which centers on elephant-friendly practices to create a model of peaceful human-elephant cohabitation, and Margaret’s Hope Tea Estate in Darjeeling, which quietly safeguards the endangered Himalayan salamander. From environmental planning to ecological conservation, discover how these tea gardens achieve a win-win for the tea industry and nature conservation through concrete actions.
Nestled in the Karbi-Along hills of India’s northeastern Assam state lies the historic Banaspaty Tea Estate. Since 1905, it has not only been a source of premium black tea but also a model for human-wildlife coexistence. As Assam’s first tea garden to receive organic certification, Banaspaty has demonstrated outstanding achievements in ecological protection and reducing human-elephant conflicts.
Covering 160 acres, this tea estate is now managed by the third generation of the Mohan family. In addition to producing highly acclaimed black tea, it reflects its conservation ethos through its name—“Banaspaty,” which means “a community of plants and animals.” The estate borders the Kaziranga Forest Reserve, where wild elephants and rhinos frequently roam. To address the common issue of human-wildlife conflict in traditional tea gardens, the estate’s management team collaborated with the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network (WFEN) and Indian tea promotion organizations to create an environment where both humans and elephants can coexist safely.
In practical terms, Banaspaty has specially designed multiple wildlife corridors to ensure that elephant herds can migrate freely without obstruction from fences, electric wires, or man-made structures. These corridors not only guarantee the elephants’ freedom of movement but also significantly reduce the risk of direct confrontations between humans and elephants. As a result, the estate has earned the “Elephant Friendly™” certification—a certification promoted jointly by WFEN and the University of Montana in the U.S.—which requires tea gardens to commit to maintaining elephant habitats and water sources, reducing human-elephant fatalities, removing potential hazardous infrastructure, and eliminating the use of pesticides and chemicals that could poison elephants.
Beyond elephant conservation, Banaspaty also works diligently to preserve native tree species such as Hollong, Acacia, Khair, and Mekai. These trees are not only vital pillars of the local ecosystem but also provide habitats for numerous birds and animals. It has been observed that over 400 species of flora and fauna, including wreathed hornbills, great Indian hornbills, pygmy hogs, leaf monkeys, and various parrots, coexist peacefully with the more than 400 tea workers and their families, forming a unique picture of human-nature symbiosis.
Echoing Banaspaty in Assam, in the Darjeeling region lies another tea estate equally dedicated to ecological preservation—Margaret’s Hope Tea Estate. Perched atop the mountains with breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayas, this estate is renowned for its premium black tea, yet its efforts to protect rare species remain little known.
Within Margaret’s Hope Tea Estate lies Bhanjyang Lake, dug in 1947 by the then estate manager. Originally a habitat for various wildlife, the lake has become particularly favored by the Himalayan salamander. A member of the ancient salamander family, the Himalayan salamander dates back to the Jurassic period in Europe and is currently found only in select regions of India, including Darjeeling, the Kamalang Valley, Ukhrul, and Senapati in Manipur—making it one of the rarest species globally.
In 1995, the lake was temporarily closed following a tragic drowning incident. However, in 2003, to protect the endangered Himalayan salamander, the estate initiated a lake ecological restoration project. At that time, over 15,000 aquatic organisms were introduced to support the salamander’s essential ecological chain. After years of effort, the lake has now become a crucial habitat for various endangered aquatic and amphibious species. It serves not only as a treasure trove for scientific research but also as a model for ecological conservation.
The practices of these two tea gardens show us that the tea industry and wildlife conservation are not mutually exclusive. Through scientific planning, environmentally friendly measures, and local community involvement, true coexistence can be achieved. From the planning of elephant corridors and the banning of toxic substances, to the restoration of lake ecosystems and the rebuilding of aquatic life chains, each step demonstrates the responsibility and vision of the tea estate managers.
Such examples are gradually influencing more surrounding tea gardens, inspiring them to consider how to protect natural ecosystems and biodiversity while producing high-quality tea. Although challenges remain, the experiences of these tea gardens have proven that, with willingness to change, the relationship between humans and nature can indeed be redefined.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
