Tea and Salamanders

The endemic Himalayan salamander, a 160-million-year-old lineage, is being actively protected in Darjeeling's tea estates and wetlands after dwindling to an estimated 5,000 wild individuals. An 80-year-old village elder and local experts are leading conservation efforts to prevent habitat loss and address threats from exotic fish and tourism.

Conservation efforts are underway but face ongoing challenges from agriculture, infrastructure, and tourism pressure; success depends on sustained habitat protection.