Munnar is a picturesque hill station located in the Idukki district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is renowned for its lush green tea plantations, scenic landscapes, and pleasant climate. The history of tea gardens in Munnar can be traced back to the late 19th century during the British colonial period.

The British identified the region’s favorable climate and fertile soil as ideal for cultivating tea. In 1877, the British planted the first tea saplings in the Kanan Devan Hills of Munnar. James Finlay & Co., a prominent British company, played a significant role in establishing tea plantations in the area. They began clearing forests and developing the necessary infrastructure for tea cultivation.

However, the progress of the tea gardens in Munnar was relatively slow until the early 20th century. In 1895, A.H. Sharp, an Englishman, took over the Munnar tea estates and formed the North Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society (NTL) to promote tea cultivation in the region. Under his leadership, the tea industry started to flourish.

The establishment of the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company (KDHP) in 1900 marked a significant milestone in Munnar’s tea history. The KDHP brought together several tea estates and initiated large-scale tea production. They introduced modern machinery, improved cultivation techniques, and implemented better processing methods, which significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of tea produced.

During the early 20th century, Munnar’s tea industry witnessed substantial growth, attracting more tea planters and investors. The tea gardens expanded rapidly, transforming the landscape of Munnar into a verdant carpet of tea plantations. Thousands of laborers, including immigrants from Tamil Nadu and other parts of Kerala, were employed to work on the tea estates.

After India gained independence from British rule in 1947, the management and ownership of tea plantations in Munnar were gradually transferred to Indian companies and the local population. The Tata Group, through its subsidiary Tata Tea, acquired a significant stake in the tea plantations and formed the Tata Tea Limited (now known as Tata Global Beverages Limited). Tata Tea continued to play a crucial role in the development and growth of Munnar’s tea industry.

Today, Munnar is one of the leading tea-producing regions in India, known for its high-quality tea varieties. The tea gardens of Munnar not only contribute to the local economy but also attract tourists who come to experience the beauty of the plantations and learn about the tea-making process.

The history of tea gardens in Munnar is a testament to the pioneering efforts of the British planters and the subsequent contributions of Indian companies and local communities in making Munnar a prominent tea-growing destination.

Munnar got international fame because of its rich green Tea Gardens. Enjoy walking through Tea Gardens in Munnar if you plan a trip to this hill station.

When you think about Munnar, the first thing that comes to your mind can be its extensive tea plantations. In fact, this majestic tourist destination is synonymous with the rolling hills that are covered with rich tea gardens. Munnar has some of the best and most famous tea gardens in the world. With so many tea estates and some popular names in this sphere, this hill station is one of the great centers of tea trade in the county. So, log on www.karmictourism.com if you wish to plan a trip to this hill station to enjoy the beauty of the tea gardens in Munnar.

History

Munnar was a thick forest region until 1790. An assistant under the ruler of Travancore granted 588 sq km land to J.D. Munro, a Scottish lawyer and tea planter on lease in 1870. The first sapling of tea planted by A.H. Sharp at Parvathi now a part of the Sevenmallay Estate. Today there are more than 50 large tea gardens in Munnar. Some of the popular tea estates in this hill station are TATA Tea, AVT Tea, Harrison Malayalam and Michael’s Tea.

Reason For International Fame

No doubt, the sprawling tea plantations are one of the prime reasons for the international fame of this majestic hill station. Grown on a rolling terrain, it must be a beautiful experience to watch the large tea gardens in Munnar that are covered with a splendid green blanket. The destination has a terraced tea plantation in order to avoid soil erosion. Tea has several health benefits and people prefer to choose high-quality tea. Munnar Tea is a good recommendation internationally for people who love to taste tea.

A Beautiful Backdrop For Photographers

Never forget to take some beautiful photographs in the background of rich green tea plantations. Many travelers find the large tea gardens in Munnar ideal to take eye-catching photographs. The beauty of these tea estates also attracts the film world. Munnar and its sprawling tea plantations are always a preferred choice for many moviemakers. The silvery mist and vast stretches of tea plantations make the perfect background in order to shoot films and take photographs.

Enjoy A Walk Through The Tea Gardens

Visiting Munnar can be a beautiful experience for each traveler. You will love to watch the verdant hills of this destination that are covered with rich plantations. Each visitor will get amazing photo opportunities in the green background of tea plantations. In fact, it can give memorable photographs for family holidaymakers and honeymoon couples. Never forget to walk through the rich tea gardens in the hill station with your family or loved ones. It is wise to take prior permission before entering the tea gardens in Munnar. Take photographs only after getting permission because most of them may not allow trespassing.