AN INDUSTRIAL VISIT REPORT OF

KANAN DEVAN HILLS PLANTATIONS COMPANY (P) LIMITED,

MUNNAR

BY

NABIL KK

(Reg.No. 170021088673)

Department of Business Administration

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement

For the award of degree of

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY, KOTTAYAM

MC VARGHESE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE

MANGALAM CAMPUS, ETTUMANOOR

(Affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University 2017-2020)

 INDUSTRIAL VISIT REPORT
A complete report based on an industrial visit organized by MC Varghese College of
Arts and Science for the students of BBA in order to understand the activities of Kanan Devan
Hills Plantations Company (P) Limited, Munnar.
 INDEX
 Overview of the trip
 Details of our journey
 Company Profile
 Vision
 Mission
 Values
 Management
 Awards
 Tea Museum
 Tea Sanctuary
 Board of Directors
 History
 CSR
 Quality
 Research and development
 Environment
 Tea Manufacturing Process
 Tourism in Munnar
 Top station and Echo point
 Conclusion
OVERVIEW OF TRIP
MC Varghese College of Arts and Science had organized an industrial visit on 31st January
2020 to Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (P) Limited, Munnar which is 124kms away
from the college.

The visit was organized with prior permission and guidance of Principal Prof. Jacob Kurian
Onattu

Mr. Anil Pulimootil and Ms.Jincy Mathew were the cordinators for the whole industrial visit.

DETAILS OF OUR JOURNEY

 We started our journey from college to Munnar by 5.00 am in a tourist bus on 31st
January.
 We reached Kanan Devan Hills, Munnar by 10.30 am
 Firstly, we took the tickets for entry to the plant.
 Secondly, in the inside of the factory there was a museum which show us the traditional
machines and tools in past, telecommunication devices and many photographs pictures
the history of Kanan Devan Plantation.
 After that we went to see the production process of tea powder inside the factory.
 The full process of tea powder production was lectured by plant manager Mr. K.
Venkataramanan
 After seeing the whole process, by 12 pm we left the plant and went for a site visit to
Top Station and eco point on Munnar Hills.
COMPANY PROFILE

Carrying forward a lineage that dates back over 136 years to the British Colonial Raj era, the
Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited (KDHP) succeeded Tata Tea Limited
on 1st April, 2005, when the latter exited most of its plantations in Munnar to focus on the
growth of its branded tea business. During the year 2004-2005, owing to the general crisis
prevalent in the tea industry at the time, Tata Tea Ltd restructured and came up with a proposal
to transfer its holdings in the Kanan Devan Hills Village. This was done as part of a
restructuring exercise evolved through a detailed study, particularly taking note of the prevalent
crisis in the tea industry.

Thus, the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company was formed, making it the largest
employee-owned tea company in the world. Encompassing the Participatory Management
System of operations, where the shareholders of the company are mainly its employees - a
novel concept in the plantation industry credited to the farsighted vision of the company's
Founding Managing Director, Late. Mr. T.V. Alexander - about 60% of the subscribed share
capital of the company is held by its employees, and almost 99.9% of its employees are
shareholders of the company. With 12,000 plus employees and 12 departments governing the
various functional areas of the company, KDHP covers a total area of 23,783 hectares, all
located in the High Ranges of Idukki District in Kerala. As the largest tea corporate in South
India, the company also occupies a prestigious place on the tea map of Kerala, constituting
24.3% of the total tea area in the State and accounting for 31.5% of the production in the State.

A unique feature of the Kanan Devan hills Plantations Company Pvt Ltd is the implementation
of the Participatory Management System, introduced with a view to ensure full participation
of the employees in the management of the company. As part of this three-tier structure that
encompasses all the sections of the employees of the company, one worker representative and
one staff representative are nominated as Directors on the Board of the company. The
employees identified as the Best Worker and Best Staff in a year are nominated to the Board
during the following financial year.

VISION

To collectively create a unique and sustainable business with the commitment and involvement
of all the employees as partners.
MISSION

To produce a consistently high quality product, exceeding customer expectations, at the lowest
cost and creating an environment for work excellence, ensuring sustained growth with
commitment towards social and environmental values.

VALUES

To conduct our business with complete transparency while aiming for excellence in every
sphere of our operations; protecting the environment and treating people with care and
compassion.

MANAGEMENT

To create a healthy, innovative, productive and fulfilling work environment the concept of
employee ownership and participation in management - a first in the plantation sector is
practicedinKHDP.

To have closer association between all employees, a formalized Participatory Management

System has been put in place in the form of committees of management consisting of
representatives of all categories of shareholding employees at the Division (the primary work
unit of a tea estate), Factory, Estate and Company levels. Such committees of empowered
employees suggest improvements in various matters pertaining to their relevant operations,
employee welfare and safety, corporate policies and strategies etc. Relevant information is
provided to enable the committees to function effectively.

The primary goals of the Participatory Management System are as follows:

 To constantly improve productivity and quality in every activity of the company for
the overall benefit of the enterprise, the employees and the community.
 To give employees a better understanding of their role and importance in the working
of the company.
 To involve all levels of employees in the decision making process whereby a sense of
ownership is fostered.

 To satisfy employees urge for self-expression.

AWARDS

The name KDHP is synonymous with quality. Proof of this is the fact that the company has
bagged numerous awards at the prestigious Golden Leaf India Awards, Southern Tea
Competition since its inception. Unrelenting quality consciousness in all the operations is the
cornerstone four success.

The company had also bagged the award for ‘Best Fleet Operator’ in the Kerala state energy
conservation awards in 2010.

Tea Museum

The country’s first ever Tea Museum located at KDHP’s Nullatanni Estate, is just a five minute
drive from Munnar Town. The thousands of tourists who visit Munnar for sightseeing can carry
home impressions of the distant past of this tea planting district in Idukki’s High Ranges. The
aim of the Tea Museum is to depict the growth of this more-than-a-century-old tea plantation
district. From the rudimentary tea roller to the present day, fully automated tea factory at
Madupatty, the Tea Museum gives a first hand knowledge about tea processing and the
operations that go into the making of black tea. From the granite sundial made in 1913 by the
Art Industrial School at Nazareth in Tamil Nadu that greets visitors at the entrance to the
museum, the memorabilia preserved inside include an iron-age burial urn from the 2nd century
BC that was exhumed near Periakanal Estate in the 1970s, the original tea roller of 1905, the
rotor vane (the old-time CTC type tea processing machine), the Pelton wheel used in the power
generation plant that existed in Kanniamally Estate in the 1920 and a rail engine wheel of the
Kundaly Valley Light Railway that transported men and material between Munnar and Top
Station during the early part of the last century.

Tea Sanctuary

“Tea Sanctuary” Bungalows are owned & managed by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Co. Pvt.
Ltd., Munnar. These Heritage Bungalows, some more than a century old offer the guests the
experience of reliving the lifestyles of the pioneer planters. The Bungalows are located within
the biosphere reserves of the Western Ghats in the High Ranges, Munnar and are situated at
altitudes between 4000 feet and 7000 feet. Tea plantations, with the first tea planted in 1878,
carpet the rolling hills interspersed with Sholas (Cloud Forests) and teeming with exotic Fauna
& Flora, including the Giant Fern. The breathtaking views from these Bungalows are both
stunning & surreal. Wake up to the call of wild Fowl, Malabar Thrush & Barking Deer and be
prepared to sight Indian Gaur, Elephants, Malabar Squirrels & even Leopards. Enjoy the
pristine surroundings while sipping garden fresh tea in God’s Own Country.

Golf & fishing can be arranged for those who are keen and Golf set/Fishing equipment should
be carried by the visitors.

Board of Directors

Chairman- Mr. Percy T Siganporia

Other Directors

 Mr. M. H. Ashraff
 Mr. K. Venkataramanan
 Mr. Chacko P Thomas
 Mr. Shamsher Singh Dogra
 Mr. Nithin George
 Mr. C A Unnikrishnan Pillai
 Ms. Kavitha
 Mr. K. Mathew Abraham – Managing Director
 Mr. P. M. Srikrishnan – Executive Director - Finance and Chief Financial Officer

HISTORY

The first European to visit these hills was the Duke of Wellington in 1790. The ‘Planting
Opinion’ of 1896 records that the Duke, then Col. Arthur Wellesley, was dispatched by General
Meadows to cut off the retreat of Tipu Sultan at Kumaly gap. Tipu’s intelligence, however,
forewarned him of this move and Wellesley was ordered to retrace his steps.

It was nearly 30 years later that Lieutenants Ward and Connor of the Madras Army and
seconded to the Great Trigonometrically Survey located the mountain peaks of the High Range,
and in particular, the Aneimudi and the Chokanad.

In 1877 Henry Gribble Turner and A.W. Turner came to India for shikar, reached the mountains
by a pass called the Bodimettu and guided by the local hill men, the Mudhuvans, eventually
reached the summit of the Aneimudi and saw the grandeur of these hills with commercial
advantage formulating in their minds. Before their expedition ended, they obtained a
‘Concession’ of approximately 227 sq. miles from the Poonjar Raja of Anjanad. Small holders
then began to purchase plots of these lands and planted a variety of crops ranging from cinchona
to coffee and sisal to tea, and eventually these planters formed themselves into the North
Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society Limited in 1879.
In 1895, Sir John Muir, Baronet of Deanston, Scotland bought over the deeds of the Concession
for further development. In 1900 the Concession area became vested with the Kanan Devan
Hills Produce Company Limited, of which the Finlay Muir held a large interest, and the area
started to develop very rapidly along more commercial lines, the main crop becoming tea.

The beautiful tea covered area that we see today was a completely virgin tract covered with
thick forest until 1879, when Mr. J.D. Munro and Mr. A.W. Turner formed the North
Travancore Land Planting and Agricultural Society and started planting crops like sisal, coffee,
cardamom, etc. Then, in the year 1897, Finlay Muir & Co. of Glasgow became interested in
this area & formed the Kanan Devan Hills Produce Co. Ltd. Thus the flagship company KDHP
was formed, and its two subsidiaries – the Anglo-American Direct Tea Trading Company &
the Amalgamated Tea Estates Company – formed subsequently, became more interested in the
development and cultivation of tea among all other crops.

In 1976, as a result FERA, the James Finlay Group of Companies entered into an agreement
with the Tatas of India, forming the Tata-Finlay Limited, which in the year 1983 was fully
acquired by the Tatas, giving rise to one of the biggest tea companies in India with around 33
tea estates. Tata Tea Ltd. spent the next 22 years modernizing its tea estates and raising the
living standards of its employees by fully committing themselves to safeguarding & promoting
the core values which also had been a part of Finlay’s policy.

Then the winds of adversity started sweeping across the Indian tea industry in 2000. Persistent
oversupply resulted in tea prices dropping sharply to uneconomic levels, while the steadily
spiralling cost of production further compounded matters. This trend lasted for 5 years, leading
to closure of several tea companies in India. Tata Tea’s South India Plantation Division too
faced losses for 4 consecutive years despite having made all possible efforts to improve quality.
Left with no other viable alternative, TTL reluctantly decided to exit tea operations to focus
more on branded tea business. An outright sale of estates was considered initially, but dropped
subsequently since there was no guarantee that the welfare of the workers and the fragile
ecosystem would be maintained.

A second option was a co-operative model, but a 3-month trial in one of the estates did not
prove promising. Eventually, the concept of an employee buy-out was mooted and accepted by
the Board of Directors. Thus the KDHP Company was reborn with the name Kanan Devan
Hills Plantation Company Private Limited on the 1st of April 2005.

The company’s 12,700-plus employees are shareholders and hold approximately 69 % of the
company’s Rs. 13.94 crore equity capital. TTL retained an 18 % stake and the remaining 7 %
is held by a trust and 6 % is held by ex-TTL employees and business associates.
CSR

 Corporate Social Responsibility

KDHP Company has always strived through its endeavors to make a positive contribution by
engaging and supporting a wide range of welfare, Socio Economic, Educational, Sports and
Health initiatives in the community that it operates. Responsibility towards the society is one
of the key objectives of the company, a fact that is evident from its mission statement. Apart
from ensuring that it strictly abides with all statutory and welfare measures as per provisions
of the various enactments applicable to the plantations, the company has provided welfare
schemes on its own like, free electricity for certain category of employees, assistance for
procuring LPG connection, Fuel Subsidy, facilities for cattle rearing, land for maintaining
Kitchen garden, free issue of hot tea at the work spot, sanitation workers for cleaning the
surroundings of housing provided and a whole lot of other facilities for sports, recreation and
cultural activities.

 Welfare

Welfare of the employees of the company has been one of the core values that the company
has always believed in. The Participatory Management Structure has helped employees voice
their concerns and requirements from the divisional level. The company also engages an
independent expert to conduct a social audit every year and rewards the Best Estate and Best
Hospital based on the scores received in the audit. All aspects of labour welfare are covered in
this audit. Rice being a major requirement for the work force and the instability in its price at
the local market, lead the company to intervene and procure rice in bulk directly from the mill,
and distribute it to the employees at cost price with credit facility, which has helped in making
considerable monthly savings for every family.
  Socio Economic development

Progress without complimenting development of the society does not yield a sustainable
development for any organization; a principle the company bears in mind in all the policies
that it adopts. One such initiative that the company has given thrust upon to uplift the condition
of the women and empower them is the aid given in formation of Self Help Groups across its

seven estates. The project was carried out in such zeal that, today there are nearly 300 SHG's
with total membership counting to 5150. These groups carry out activities like micro finance,
stitching bags, producing phenyl, soaps along with carrying out welfare activities. These groups
have become a blessing to the families with low income level, and have shown our women
who are the backbone of the industry, additional ways of generating income. The company has
always played a supportive role towards their activities by giving them guidance and providing
training facilities.

 Educational support

The company provides free schooling upto primary level for the children of the employees.
Apart from this, it extends its appreciation for meritorious students through rewards and
felicitations every year. As part of its recruitment policy, the company absorbs qualified
children of its employees. The company has introduced the KDHP Scholarship, which is given
to the student achieving the highest marks in twelfth standard exams from the KDHP family.
The dedicated welfare wing of the company helps employees to avail scholarships promoted
by various bodies like UPASI, Tea Board etc for their children.
  Medical

The company's Medical Department is involved in providing comprehensive health care to the
employees and their family members, which includes maternal & Child welfare, immunization,
family planning, environmental sanitation, potable water supply, health education,
occupational health, Tribal welfare etc. The community& Social welfare development
department conducts health exhibitions in each of the estate every year.

 Social Outreach initiatives

The company has been constantly supporting and encouraging communities that are
indegenous to the land through its social out reach programmes. Further small scale tea growers
in Idukki District are also being provided with knowledge on tea cultivation as well as free
medical camps are being arranged for them.
  Help the Needy fund: A Little means a lot

Tribal welfare is another area where the company has relentlessly continued with the purely
voluntary activities begun by its predecessors. The company is extending all medical assistance
to the ‘Muthuvan’ tribe in the estate hospitals and by organizing medical camps across the
various hamlets located in the periphery of company’s estates. They are also involved in the
health exhibitions and functions organized in the company’s estates.

From time immemorial, the plantation district has always opened its arms to support the poor
and the destitute. The forum was re-christened as the Help the Needy Fund in 1968. This forum
that had been put in place for extending support to the under privileged, has over the years,
developed in-to a comfort for many. The HTNF is managed by the plantation community
through donations, contributions and annual Gala Fete events that all members of the KDHP
fraternity actively participate. The proceeds from such fetes are judiciously used to provide
financial support to the needy.

QUALITY
At the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (P) Limited, quality consciousness is a way of
life and we strive on perfection and excellence; the proof of this lies in the numerous awards
bagged by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (P) Limited in the prestigious annual
Golden Leaf India Awards, Southern Tea competitions since its inception. From “Leaf to Lip",
all our operations follow scientifically established standards, and documented operating
procedures, which in turn gives our customers the assurance of a safe and quality product. A
stringent, two- tier quality control system ensures that every invoice of tea produced in each of
the 16 factories is meticulously tasted and scrutinized against industry benchmarks. Teas
conforming to these standards are further checked by the central Q C Department before
reaching the customer.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Research and Development The Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (P) Limited
possesses the most integrated Research & Development department in the corporate sector of
the Indian tea industry, with the prime objective of the department being ‘to provide a strong
scientific base to the Company’s core operations - the plantations and conceive and develop
new innovative technologies’. The R&D department is recognized by Department of Scientific
& Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, under
the Industrial R&D Programme. The major facilities of the department include full-fledged
laboratories and experimental plots at Madupatty Estate, and the department covers the entire
gamut of operations such as plant improvement, biotechnology & microbiology, agronomy,
soil map project, quality control, manufacturing, quality & processes, new product
development, projects other than tea, monitoring of weather data, advisory/estate visits and
training. Extensive trials carried out on plant improvement has resulted in the release of seven
tea clones and two biclonal seed stocks of high yield and superior quality. Biclonal seed baries
of different combinations of selected clones were established in different estates and their
progenies are being evaluated for important agronomic traits like yield, quality and resistance
to drought, frost and pest & diseases. Nursery grafting technique has been successfully used to
increase the yield of quality clones by grafting the same on high yielding/drought tolerant
clone. Method to produce white tea (silvery tips) from selected tea clones is standardized, and
the germplasm collection of tea established at Madupatty comprising various cultivars from
different tea growing regions is very unique. Plant tissue culture and molecular biology is
another frontier area of research. Micropropagation techniques were standardized for tea and
other species like small cardamom, large cardamom, vanilla, black pepper, scented rose and
certain fuel species (Eucalyptus). Protocols have also been developed for micropropagation of
some commercial ornamental crops also.

Waste utilization and recycling is another important area of research. Conversion of agro waste
into rich organic manure using vermin-tech process has been streamlined. Vermicompost is
used commercially in all nurseries as well as fields for better growth. Various biofertilizers and
biocontrol agents are being isolated, evaluated and mass multiplied for commercial
applications. For mass multiplication of Trichoderma viride, nutritionally rich vermicompost
is being used as a carrier material to ensure exceptionally high colony forming units (CFUs).
Agronomic studies are carried out regularly and cultural practices followed by the company
are updated periodically. Newly launched agrochemicals and implements are also being

evaluated for their suitability as per the requirements of the company. Provenance trials of
Eucalyptus are being carried out to evaluate different species/cultivars under the forestry
programme. Introduction of Vetiver Grass Technology (VGT) in tea plantations for soil and
water conservation is an important contribution by the department. Soil fertility status in
various estates is monitored periodically through a Soil Map Project, and appropriate corrective
actions are recommended, based on the analytical results. Quality control is another area of
priority and all agricultural inputs used by the plantations are tested for their quality
requirements before use. The department coordinates various activities related to ISI, GMP,
QMS, Rainforest Alliance and ISO 22000 certifications in the plantations/processing facilities.
Experiments on new product development/process improvement and quality assurance of
products against various requirements are carried out based on requirements. Methods are
being developed for testing products to ensure compliance to regulatory requirements and
MRLs. The department also undertakes studies related to other than plantation crops such as
medicinal and aromatic plants, and their processing for value addition

ENVIRONMENT

The plantation industry is considered as a quintessential link for the safety of many biological
hotspots, which are many, and large carbon sinks around the globe. Munnar is presently
witnessing the beginning of a new chapter through the introduction of a new business model
known as the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP) Co Pvt Ltd, and success in its mission
will augur well for the Indian and global plantation industry for road mapping sustainable
plantation operations.
The landscape of the Kanan Devan Hills is dominated by tea and the fuel wood plantations
.The valleys have the high altitude shola grasslands, most of which are in pristine condition
forming the natural ecosystem and providing a refuge to the rich and varied flora and fauna of
the region. The High Ranges, with their specific environmental and habitat conditions standout
to be ‘land locked islets’ and have obviously become the confines of many interesting endemics
and rare plants and animals.

The natural water sources like swamps and streams are crucial for the sustainability of the
plantations; moreover, these are interspersed with tea, fuelwood plantations and ‘sholas’. These
are currently protected without disturbance. The existing ponds which cater to the needs not
only of the people, but also of animals like elephants, are protected and maintained.

The area is also a refuge to several species of animals, and supports a good population of Nilgiri
Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, Elephants, Gaur (Indian Bison), Panthers, Wild Cats, Sambar Deer (Rusa
Unicolor) Barking Deers (Munjtacs), Malabar Giant Squirrels etc, in addition to various
reptiles and amphibians. The hills in the surrounding areas are the abode of the endangered and
Western Ghat endemic Nilgiri Tahr. The Nilgiri Tahr is a zoogeographically significant

species, and a viable population is found in the Eravikulam National Park. In addition to the
above, there are about 102 species of birds recorded in the Kanan Devan Hills area.

The Western Ghats is today one of the global biodiversity hotspots, and KDHP, and its
predecessor tea companies including Tata Tea Limited and James Finlay & Company have
upheld a unique legacy in conservation, which continues to this day. The High Range Wildlife
& Environment Preservation Association (HRW&EPA) is at the forefront of this effort, which
works hand in hand with KDHP in mainstreaming the environmental conservation within the
region, alongside production of tea. It is laudable that most of the members of HRW&EPA are
officers of KDHP.

The meticulous and laudable tradition of conservation has helped maintain an ecological
equilibrium in this beautiful hill station of Munnar. An important manifestation of the success
of the integration of commercial activity and conservation in these hills is the rich faunal
diversity that is present across the KDHP Estates.

Naturally degraded Sholas (Evergreen deciduous woods and thickets) are identified and
regeneration programmes are carried out under the aegis of the HRW&EPA. These
programmes are funded by the company and plants required for the same are raised in its R&D
nursery.

Wildlife across our estates is regularly monitored and sighting records are available for nearly
a decade. This record is a useful tool to map the faunal diversity of this area; moreover, any
cases of poaching or injury to animals noticed in their respective areas are immediately
informed to the Forest Department.

TEA MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Tea manufacture is the process of transformation of freshly plucked green tea leaves to black
tea. The process itself is long, requires much care, attention, control and a scientific
understanding of the complicated physical and chemical changes in the leaf as the manufacture
progresses. There are several distinctive processes that take place in the manufacture of black
teas

 PLUCKING

The green leaf is harvested on a regular basis at intervals ranging from 5 days to 8 days from
each field. The plucking of the soft two leaves and the bud is generally undertaken by well
trained women, because of the agility of feminine hands. The manufacture begins from the
time the leaf is plucked in the field, and to ensure it retains its freshness, the leaf is sent to the
factories from the fields three to four times a day.

 WITHERING
No sooner it is received at the factory, the leaf is weighed and spread on troughs. Withering, is
a process, where conditioned air is circulated between the leaves, initially to remove any
surface moisture and thereafter to concentrate and chemically breakdown the tea juices. It takes
10 hours to 14 hours for the physical and chemical changes to take place, and bring the leaf to
soft and rubbery condition suitable for the next stage of manufacture.

 ROLLING

Is the process by which the leaf is twisted and the leaf cell walls ruptured to bring the juices to
the surface of the leaf. The rolling machines have deep jacket, a pressure cap to apply pressure
on the leaf, and the table itself has battens and a cone at the center to twist the leaf. There are
also the more modern “Rotorvane” machines, which also give the same twisting and turning
effect. This process takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

Thereafter to separate the twisted leaf from the untwisted, and to reduce the heat build up, the
rolled leaf is passed over a roll breaker. This machine has meshes which separate rolled leaf.
The unrolled is put back into the rollers for further rolling whilst the rolled leaf is fermented.

 FERMENTATION
Of the tea juices is an essential process in the manufacture of black tea. Fermentation is the
oxidization of the enzymes in the juices, which bring out the flavour, strength and the colour
of the liquors and infusions. Fermentations is generally carried out on glass or tiled tables.

As fermentation progresses there is a colour change of the leaf from greenish to coppery brown.
The degree of fermentation is judged by the colour and aroma.

 DRYING

The primary objective of drying is the extraction of moisture and the arresting of fermentation.
The fermented leaf contains from 45% to 50% moisture. The leaf is passed through driers,
which have circuits of trays with perforation, on which are conveyed the fermented leaf.The
drying process takes about 20 to 25 minutes and the initial temperature is about 120 Degrees
F(50 Degrees C) and is finished off at a temperature of 200 Degrees F (93 Degrees C) to 220

degrees F (105 Degrees C) . The moisture content of the teas when drying is completed is
approximately 2% to 3% and the coppery brown fermented tea particles are now back.

 GRADING (SIFTING)
The fired teas after cooling are graded / sifted according to size and shape, as the trade demands.
The different grades of tea are identified nomenclature. On completion of the grading, teas are
stored in airtight bins of boxes. The sifting is carried out on a series of grading and cleaning
machines, which have several trays of different mesh sizes, to separate the tea particles to the
various grades of tea and to remove the stalk and fibre.

 PACKING / DESPATCHING

Teas are very hygroscopic and rapidly absorb moisture. When sufficient quantities of teas are
collected, they are either packed in plywood tea chests of multi-walled aluminium craft paper
lined pager sacks and despatched to the auctions or packed into tea packs of various forms for
direct export/distribution.
TOURISM IN MUNNAR
Munnar rises as three mountain streams merge - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.
1,600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British
Government in South India. One of the most sought-after honeymoon destinations in Kerala,
Munnar is replete with resorts and logding facilities that fit a wide range of budgets.
Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a
popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the
Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once in every twelve years, will
bloom next in 2030. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which
towers over 2,695 m.

TOP STATION AND ECHO POINT

Situated in the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala,
Munnar is a most preferable destination in Kerala, which is crowded with visitors all around
the year. There are lots of places to be explored in Munnar. Top Station and Echo Point are
among the many attractive destinations in Munnar.

Top Station
Top Station, located around 32 km away from Munnar, is the highest point (1700m) in Munnar,
on the Munnar-Kodaikkanal road. The place falls on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. Here you
can enjoy the panoramic view of Western Ghats and the valley of Theni district of Tamil Nadu.
Top Station got its name from the fact that it was the uppermost railway station located in the
Kundala Valley. At this highest point, you may feel that the clouds are just a hand touch away
from you. The destination is famous for the Neelakurinji flowers (Strobilanthus), which used
to bloom once in twelve years. The bloom of these rare flowers will give the destination a
different bluish look. The next flowering season of Neelakurinji is on 2018.

The best time to visit Top station is from April to May. Top Station is easily accessible from
Munnar as there are frequent buses from there and you can also make use of the cabs available.
You can also visit the Kurinjimala sanctuary very near to top Station.

Echo Point
This is a very beautiful place in Munnar, which got its name from natural echo phenomenon
situated at a scenic lake bank. When you scream at here, you will be hearing your voice
returning to you. Placed at an altitude about 600 ft, Echo Point is located 15 km away from
Munnar, on the way to Top Station.

Echo Point always has a greenish look as it is covered with abundant green sceneries. It is an
adventurous destination, which will be a perfect choice for those who love to have a nature
walk or trekking. The place surrounded with mist covered hills, waterfalls and clean air will be
a visual treat.
 CONCLUSION

I am thankful for my faculties for arranging such a journey to Kanan Devan Hills Plantations
(P) Ltd, Munnar and Top Station. From the visit I understand the whole production process of
tea powder in the factory and gave me a memorable moments with my friends on picnic spots.