In south Indias Nilgiris area scattered bits of old-growth forest (with burial sites from ancient times) stand as time-capsules between countless tea bushes. These green-spots show what the land looked like before tea farming changed everything
The Western Ghats hills once had these sacred spaces everywhere but things changed round 200 years back when British folks came and put tea farms all over — making the land look totally different than it used to. Now these forest-patches stay alive thanks to two groups: the Indigenous peoples who keep them safe as part of their culture; and nature-smart people who are bringing them back
The work to fix these spaces isnt quick or easy; scientists take out tea plants from old unused farms and put in local seeds instead. Its a super-slow process but after many years of work nature is coming back — even with todays weird weather patterns and environmental problems. The mix of native trees flowers and old cultural spots makes these places extra-special showing how things were before tea took over
These spots are like tiny time-machines that let us peek at how this bio-rich area looked before colonials came. The Local tribes work hard to save whats left while experts help grow new patches where they can; both doing their part to keep this ancient tradition going