In the Nilgiris district of India, a significant ecological restoration initiative is underway as teams work to revive native forests amidst extensive tea plantations. These sacred groves, once abundant in the Western Ghats, have diminished since British colonization nearly 200 years ago, which transformed the landscape into rows of tea shrubs.
Despite the ecological damage and climate change challenges, restoration practitioners are seeing progress. Godwin Vasanth Bosco, a local naturalist, emphasizes the importance of ecological restoration in combating climate change. The region, recognized by the United Nations as a biodiversity hotspot, is home to over 600 native plant species and 150 unique animal species.
However, industrial-scale tea farming has led to nutrient depletion in the soil and conflicts with local wildlife, including elephants and gaur. Approximately 135,000 acres of tea plantations have degraded nearly 70% of the region's native grasslands and forests, creating 'green deserts' that fail to support biodiversity.
In response, restoration efforts have begun to yield results. Native trees planted a decade ago are thriving, restoring water flow to streams that had dried up due to tea cultivation. These Shola-grassland forests, capable of capturing high-altitude moisture, play a crucial role in maintaining the local ecosystem.
The Indigenous Adivasi communities, once displaced by tea estates, are actively involved in these restoration efforts, viewing them as a way to reclaim their lost traditions and habitats. However, local tea growers argue that the economy heavily relies on tea production, which they believe is less harmful than the rapid urbanization driven by tourism.
Experts suggest that agroforestry, which incorporates native trees into tea plantations, could provide a balanced solution that fosters biodiversity while maintaining economic viability. As restoration efforts continue, the future of the Nilgiris region hangs in the balance, reflecting the broader struggle between conservation and economic development.