Kolkata, Nov 2 (KNN) The West Bengal state cabinet has decided to allow alternative use of 15 per cent of the total vacant land in tea gardens of North Bengal.

Out of the 15 per cent of the total vacant land in tea gardens, around 40 per cent could be used for the development of real estate while the remaining 60 per cent land area would be developed mostly for tea tourism.

While addressing media after Thursday's Cabinet meeting, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee said, ‘‘The new policy would bring an economic revival in the tea gardens of North Bengal and the 15 per cent of the total vacant land would be used for various purposes without floating tea plantation rules.''

''The decision taken by the Bengal government will contribute to the overall development of the area. One of the main objectives behind the decision is to ensure eco-tourism and proper utilisation of the vacant land. The move will also help to create jobs in the region,'' he added.

Tea Tourism and Allied Business Policy 2019 — is being chalked out and a committee has been formed with Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha at the top for smooth implementation of the policy. Representatives from various departments such as industry, land and land reforms, refugees and rehabilitation, tourism, environment and tea board will be inducted into the committee.

It is to be believed that after the implementation of 'alternative use of unused tea garden' might help the ailing tea industry, feel tea estate owners in the state.

Since, the garden owners have been pitching for alternative usage of more than 10 per cent of the vacant land in the tea gardens and was waiting for the permission of Bengal government. The state government has finally agreed to their proposal and decided to allow the owners to utilise the land that had been lying vacant at various tea gardens.

Approximately, there are around 377 tea estates in North Bengal with 2.64 lakh workers. Of this, 87 tea estates are in Darjeeling, 188 in Jalpaiguri and 102 in Terai. The total tea production of tea estates is about 330 million kg per year.

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