Bajali: In a heartwarming and unusual sight, foreign tourists were seen plucking tea leaves at gardens near Manas National Park, highlighting Assam’s growing global appeal and rich cultural heritage.
In a notable instance, a group of 60 tourists from Canada, Brazil, the USA and China visited Fatemabad Tea Garden near Manas National Park. Guided by tea garden authorities, they actively participated in the tea-making process, learning to prepare tea from freshly plucked leaves, and expressed admiration for the traditional methods and labour involved.
The tourists also explored tea processing units and local industry initiatives, leaving impressed with Assam’s tea heritage. Their visit underscores the increasing global interest in Assam’s iconic tea and the rising number of international visitors to Manas National Park and surrounding areas.
Scenes of foreigners engaging in rural activities are often depicted in South Indian cinema, where visitors work alongside local farmers to understand grassroots life. Similarly, in Assam, tourists enthusiastically joined tea plucking—a practice deeply connected to the state’s identity and culture.
Locals welcomed the tourists, viewing their participation as a positive sign of Assam’s growing popularity and the success of eco-tourism initiatives in the region, including Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism stakeholders noted that such engagement promotes cultural exchange, boosts rural tourism, and raises awareness about indigenous livelihoods.
The sight of foreign tourists experiencing Assam’s tea culture reinforces the state’s position as a unique destination blending natural beauty, heritage, and community-driven tourism.