|
|
The Nilgiris, with high mountain ranges, beautiful valleys and salubrious climate support a wide range of flora and fauna are so enchanting that they rightly earned the name the "Queen of Hills". The famous neela kurunji (Strobilanthus kunthianus) at Nilgiris, blossoms once in 12 years. Among the planting districts, Nilgiris , occupy a prestigious position. Besides being the largest tea tract in south India, its name is associated with all virtues that go to make a good cup of tea and is appropriately referred to as the "southern Darjeeling".The high elevation coupled with its characteristics cold, dry and mist weather provide the quality attraction to the Nilgris teas which are responsible for flavors, and exquisitely aromatic accompanied by a creamy mouth feel. The district is bound by the Nilgiri - Wayanad planting district on the west and Coimbatore district on the east. The elevation ranges from 1000 to 2634 m above MSL. Doddabetta, the second highest peak in south India is the crest of the hills. The high elevation coupled with it characteristic cold, dry and misty weather provide the distinctive quality attributes to the Nilgiri teas which are flavoury, fragrant and exquisitely aromatic accompanied by a creamy mouthfeel.
 Coonoor is situated on the eastern side of the southern extremity of the Doddabetta range, at an altitude of 1,858 m above the mean sea level. It is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. Coonoor is located 19 km away from Ooty, a well known hill station of India.
The Regional Centre advises the estates in the Coonoor, Kotagiri, Kundha and Ooty areas on all aspects relating to the cultivation and processing of tea. The new laboratory is well equipped with Gas Chromatograph, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer and a number of other instruments.
It is equipped to analyse black tea for various quality parameters and volatile flavour compounds. The lab can also undertake analysis of soils, fertilizers, dolomite and certain fungicides. The centre also pays attention to the interest of the small tea growers in the Nilgiris. Several experiments relating to agronomy, pest control and irrigation are also being conducted at the centre. |
|
|
|
|
