International Conference on Darjeeling Tea Highlights Heritage, Livelihoods and Sustainable Futures

Sonada (Darjeeling), March 30, 2026 — In the serene hills of Darjeeling, a unique gathering of scholars, industry leaders, and community representatives is unfolding as Salesian College Sonada hosts a two-day international conference exploring the rich legacy and future of Darjeeling tea.

Organised in collaboration with Tea Promoters India and Rimpocha Tea, the conference—titled “Darjeeling Tea: Leaf, Life, and Legacy – A Multidisciplinary Exploration of Place, People and Possibility”—offers a comprehensive reflection on one of India’s most treasured exports. The event brings together diverse voices to examine tea not merely as a commodity, but as a symbol of cultural identity, economic sustenance, and ecological responsibility.

The inaugural session set a reflective and forward-looking tone, with keynote contributions from Binod Mohan, Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, and Rajah Banerjee. The speakers emphasised the enduring importance of Darjeeling tea in sustaining local livelihoods while reinforcing the region’s global identity.

A total of 34 academic papers are being presented across eight technical sessions, reflecting the wide-ranging scope of inquiry. Discussions have explored the cultural, economic, and ecological dimensions of tea cultivation, situating the Darjeeling experience within broader global and interdisciplinary contexts.

Key themes include environmental sustainability, the lived realities of tea garden communities, and the intersections of literature, gender, and labour within plantation life. Participants have also engaged with emerging challenges and opportunities, including media representation, innovation in the sector, and alternative livelihood models linked to the tea economy.

Complementing the academic deliberations, curated exhibitions have enriched the experience for participants. A photographic showcase, guided tea-tasting sessions, and publications focusing on tea and the Eastern Himalayas have provided a deeper, sensory engagement with the subject, bridging research with lived realities.

Founded in 1938 in Gorabari village near Sonada, Salesian College has served as a pillar of higher education in the region for nearly nine decades. Its attainment of autonomous status in 2023 marked a significant step in its academic journey. The hosting of this international conference reflects the institution’s continued commitment to intellectual inquiry and its longstanding engagement with tea garden communities.

By fostering dialogue among academia, industry, and grassroots voices, the conference stands as a meaningful initiative that not only honours the legacy of Darjeeling tea but also seeks pathways toward a more sustainable and inclusive future for the region and its people.

By C. M. Paul