Extensive Tea Plants in the Bharat Tea Plantation
Due to the relatively high altitude of the Cameron Highlands the British colonizers are that time thought to cultivate tea plants in these mountains. After all, the fresh mountain air is conducive for the growth of these plants. The British must have really missed their tea since the tea planted here is not the type brewed by the Chinese. When we were climbing up the highway to Tanah Rata, there was this eye catching sight by the roadside, it was the Bharat Tea Plantation. I made it a point to visit this place. So here am I walking down the highway towards the Bharat Tea Plantation.
Entire Valley Planted With Tea
I walked a fair distance down the mountain. Although the weather was quite pleasant, the walk was quite far since I had no idea where it was. I only know that I passed it on the way up. There wasn’t much to see along the highway as the mountainside was all covered with trees. That is until I reached the valley where the Bharat Tea Plantation was. It was an impressive sight. The entire valley was cleared and planted with tea plants. The tea plantation was done in regular patterns with paths though the tea plants themselves. This makes it easier for the staff to harvest the tea leaves.
Tea Plants Near the Highway
The Bharat Tea Plantation is responsible for making the Cameron Valley brand of tea which is widely advertised in Tanah Rata, in fact they have their own store in the town. The sight of the Bharat Tea Plantation bring back memories of my trip to the rice terraces in Banaue in the Philippines, although the rice terraces will still beat this tea plantation anytime. Although the Bharat Tea Plantation is an impressive piece of agricultural engineering, the loss of the huge forest cover will defintely have its environmental impact. I hope this doesn’t get out of hand.
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