Drought Fuels Pest Infestation in Alipurduar Tea Gardens, Production at Risk

• Alipurduar district tea gardens are experiencing a severe pest infestation, including red spiders, loopers, and white pests, due to an unusual lack of rainfall for nearly five months.
• The absence of early-year rain, which typically aids new leaf growth and pest control, has led to a significant increase in pest activity, impacting tea plant health and leaf quality.
• Tea garden authorities fear a direct impact on tea production if the drought and pest situation persist, despite current irrigation efforts.
• Irrigation is being used to water tea plants, but it is not fully compensating for the lack of rain and is adding to the operational expenses of the gardens.
• Shirshendu Biswas, manager of Subhashini Tea Garden and a tea plant expert, confirmed losses in the Dooars region, noting yellowing leaves and the critical need for rain during the first flush season.