Biodiversity and Balance

In the Shadows of Tea: A journey into biodiversity and balance

Beyond the manicured rows of tea that contour Kerala’s highlands lies a rich, often overlooked world—an ecosystem teeming with life, resilience, and renewal. Ekathra’s biodiversity-focused tea garden experience invites you to explore the living mosaic that thrives in and around these plantations, where birdsong mingles with the rustle of tea leaves and reptiles sun themselves on dewy stones.

In regions like Wayanad and Idukki, the fringes of tea gardens serve as vital corridors for wildlife—from endemic frogs and colorful butterflies to hornbills, sunbirds, and the elusive Malabar pit viper. Early morning walks and twilight trails offer chances for birding and herping, guided by naturalists who reveal the subtle relationships between flora, fauna, and tea.

As the world becomes more conscious of the cost of conventional agriculture, these hills are witnessing a quiet transformation. With support from grassroots movements and expert-led initiatives, some tea growers are returning to traditional, chemical-free methods that nurture soil health, preserve water sources, and create space for biodiversity to flourish. Guests will have the opportunity to engage with pioneering planters and conservationists working to restore ecological balance—turning tea gardens into safe havens for both people and wildlife.

This journey is not just about the cultivation of leaves, but about cultivating awareness. Through immersive experiences, intimate conversations, and time spent in nature, you’ll come to see the tea garden as more than a source of warmth in your cup—it’s a living ecosystem in need of care, coexistence, and celebration.