Pest attacks threaten Bengal's tea output

North Bengal's lush tea estates, especially in the Dooars region, are facing a serious crisis.

- SANTANU BASU

A massive outbreak of looper caterpillars, a pest known for damaging tea leaves, has spread across nearly all gardens in the area. Tea planters warn that this could lead to a 10 per cent drop in production in the 2025 season alone.

West Bengal's tea output fell by 21 per cent by July 2024 compared to the previous year. And with the looper invasion continuing into August, further 10 per cent losses are feared.

Nationally, pests like looper caterpillars cause India's tea industry to lose nearly 147 million kg of tea each year, costing about Rs. 2,865 crore. Already the gardens are mired with multiple problems, including climate change, erratic rainfall and non-replacement of age old bushes, but the looper pest attack with no sign of a let up poses another threat for the gardens of North Bengal.

In Gathia Tea Garden (Nagrakata), the situation has taken a grim turn. Manager Navin Mishra reported that they are now able to collect only 15,000 kg of leaves daily, down from the usual 25,000 kg. At Kurti Tea Garden, manager Rajesh Rungta is also battling the caterpillar crisis.