In this powerful episode of Voices of Change, host Tex Wambui sits down with Shreya Chaudhuri, a recent UC Berkeley graduate and founder of Project Planet, to explore how colonialism, environmental justice, and Indigenous knowledge intersect in the tea fields of Assam, India. Through the lens of her award-winning project Equi-Tea, Shreya discusses the deep-rooted trauma and resilience embedded in Assam’s tea industry—an industry shaped by empire, labor exploitation, and ecological harm. This conversation sheds light on how youth activism, cultural heritage, and decolonial food systems are reshaping the future of environmental justice. Together, they unpack: The colonial legacy of global agriculture The power of archiving Indigenous knowledge Agroecology vs. industrial farming The importance of solidarity between oppressed communities Reimagining environmental education through a decolonial lens From family legacy to land liberation, this episode is a reminder that healing the earth begins with telling the whole truth about its history.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Environmental Justice and Colonialism 02:23 Shreya's Journey and Family Legacy 04:27 The Complex History of Tea and Colonialism 07:58 Cultural and Colonial Memory in Assam's Tea Industry 12:12 Indigenous Agroecology vs. Industrial Agriculture 14:45 Vision for Equity and Decolonial Food Systems 19:28 The Role of Archival Storytelling in Land Liberation 23:03 Youth Engagement and Misconceptions in Environmental Justice 26:46 Solidarity Among Communities Facing Environmental Violence 28:38 Reimagining Environmental Education 31:19 Reflections on Community and Personal Growth