‘Brewing a crisis’- Climate Change, Darjeeling Tea and Traditional Knowledge: Rethinking Legal Protection beyond Geographical Indications
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Darjeeling tea from India is a famous Geographical Indication (GI)-certified product known for its typical ‘muscatel’ flavor and unique aroma. Indigenous communities associated with this Traditional Knowledge face severe challenges associated with climate change, poor livelihood, rural out-migration and improper implementation of Access and Benefit sharing (ABS) system. The present study analyses the impact of climate change on this Traditional Knowledge and socio-economic state of local people associated with tea growing areas of Darjeeling district. A survey of 120 respondents across the villages adjacent to Makaibari tea estate was performed to analyze the impact of climate change on tea production, livelihood, socio-economic benefits and vulnerability of the indigenous community associated with this traditional cultivation. A correlation was obtained among the impact of climate change on tea production, poor socio-economic benefits and disruption in the communal integrity of the local people based on Likert-scale and SWOT analysis. Darjeeling Tea as an important genetic resource in India needs further protection under the - ‘Access and Benefit’ sharing rights arising from sui generis legislation for protection of traditional knowledge. The present findings carry significance not only for local stakeholders but also for various indigenous communities facing similar challenges globally in various tea-growing areas.
Source: Research Square
Institution: University of Engineering & Management
Language: English
Subfield: Anthropology
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204079567