Himachal Government Set to Boost Tea Tourism, Plans to Study Bengal’s Successful Model
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlights efforts to boost tourism in the state, with a special emphasis on promoting tea tourism.
In a bid to revitalize the tea industry and boost tourism, the Himachal Pradesh government is planning to study the successful tea tourism model of West Bengal. The aim is to develop a comprehensive policy that can tap into the immense potential of tea tourism in the state. Tea planters in Himachal Pradesh, especially in Kangra district, have long advocated for such a policy, pointing out that despite the rich history and distinct flavor of Kangra tea, the state has yet to formulate a supportive framework like those seen in other tea-growing states.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has acknowledged the growing importance of tea tourism in Himachal Pradesh and has pledged to boost efforts in this direction. He recently stated that the tea tourism model in West Bengal would be studied in detail, as it has already provided significant benefits to that state. In West Bengal, the tea tourism policy allows 15% of the total tea plantation area to be utilized for tourism and related activities. This policy also ensures that the plantation area remains unaffected and labor employment is not reduced, benefiting both the industry and local communities.
Kangra district, known for its unique and historically significant tea, has seen a decline in the area under tea cultivation in recent years. Tea estate owners, in particular, have been facing challenges due to rising production costs and limited profitability from traditional tea sales. Surya Jai Prakash, Director of Wah Tea Estate, emphasized that cultivating tea alone is no longer economically viable. Retail sales have proven to be a more profitable avenue, and tea tourism can provide the necessary boost to keep the tea business afloat. Prakash believes that promoting tea tourism can increase visibility and sales for Kangra tea, and that attracting more visitors will not only help in selling tea but also promote the region’s natural beauty.
Tea tourism, according to stakeholders, offers multiple benefits. It can lead to increased government tax revenues, enhance marketing opportunities for tea estates, and create employment opportunities for locals. The absence of a clear policy has, however, been a major roadblock, and stakeholders have urged the state government to adopt a defined approach, similar to other tea-growing regions such as Assam and West Bengal, where the government has already realized that tea cultivation alone cannot sustain the industry in the long run.
Suksham Butail, President of the Kangra Valley Small Tea Planters Association, pointed out that many small tea gardens have become neglected and unprofitable due to the lack of financial sustainability. He suggested that the introduction of tea tourism could serve as a much-needed alternative income source for tea growers, thereby helping to revive these small, inactive gardens and keep the industry afloat.
The Deputy Director of Kangra Tourism, Vinay Dhiman, noted that tea tourism could play a vital role in promoting eco-tourism in the region. He emphasized that over time, many small tea estates have vanished, and the reduction in tea production has significantly impacted the local economy. Moreover, land associated with these tea plantations has often become overgrown and unproductive. With the introduction of tea tourism, this land could be utilized for eco-tourism, contributing to both environmental conservation and economic revitalization.
The recent recognition of Kangra tea by the European Commission, which granted it a protected geographical indication (PGI) status in 2023, has further underscored the uniqueness and quality of this tea. Once a popular commodity in Europe, Central Asia, Australia, and even Afghanistan and Pakistan, Kangra tea has seen a decline in production in recent years. While approximately 2,310 hectares of land are listed under tea cultivation, only about 1,400 hectares are actively used for production, highlighting the need for a strategic shift in the industry’s approach.
The introduction of a well-structured tea tourism policy could thus breathe new life into the Kangra tea industry, offering a sustainable solution to the challenges faced by local tea growers while simultaneously boosting tourism and preserving the region’s rich heritage. By combining tea cultivation with tourism, Himachal Pradesh could unlock a new revenue stream, create jobs, and ensure the preservation of its unique tea legacy.
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