By Manoj Kumar Ojha
Guwahati: The abnormally growing temperature of Assam this year brings misfortune for its lakhs of tea workers and its productions both.
“I am not feeling well. Loose motions, vomiting symptoms and giddiness are the causes. So, in place of going to pluck tea leaves today, I came to see a doctor,” Fuleswari Murah, 41, told Our India at Civil Hospital on Thursday in Tinsukia district of upper Assam.
Fuleswari is not sick alone. The government hospitals are full of tea workers these days with tea workers who are sick due to the hottest weather ever since last fortnight in last few years.
“We had never witnessed such hot weather in our lives in last 35 years . It has been pleasant weather in Assam forever. Rainfall was common during summer season too suitable both for tea workers and tea gardens. God knows what is happening now.” exclaimed, Suchita Tanti, 52. Suchita works in a private garden in Margherita Subdivision of Tinsukia district who came for treatment after she fell sick while plucking tea leaves .She is unaware of climate changes and global warming.
Taking stock of the health of the people, the tea gardens have changed the working time- table. Now it is from 6 morning to 1.30 afternoon. But there is no relief as the temperature goes high from the wee hours itself.
“We express our serious concern over the health of our sisters and brothers who have been working in tea gardens. The district commissioners, garden authorities, joint director of health and the Labour welfare department should promptly act for the overall health of our garden workers,” said a member of Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA).
The rough temperature is not only harming the health of workers but it is also affecting the tea productions and its qualities , the people deeply related with the profession and tea lovers, say .
The shrinking of forests in Assam, dry rivers, lack of trees in gardens, growing population, construction of unplanned residential areas , pollution in air and water are the soul causes behind the weather conditions in Assam, environmentalists say .
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