PROF' G' M' NAIR, DIRECTOR

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TBGRI- KANI MODEL OF BENEFIT SHARING
PROF. G. M. NAIR, DIRECTOR
 Tropical Botanic Garden and Research
Institute Pacha-Palode, Thiruvananthapuram 695562,
Kerala, India
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus
Burkill. ex Narayanan
Abstract
Documentation of ethno medical knowledge of Kani
tribes, research, product development, patenting,
licensing, technology transfer and benefit
sharing
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
The Discovery
It was an accidental discovery made a team lead
by Scientists of TBGRI during the
Ethnomedico-Botanical exploration to the Agastyar
valley areas of Thiruvananthapyram Dist, Kerala,
India, which is located in the southern most part
of the Western Ghats that the plant, Trychopus
sp., abundant in that area, has restorative and
anti-fatigue properties. The discovery of the
unique property of the plant was based on the
leads obtained from disclosures by the Kani tribe
people who accompanied the group as Porters and
Guides
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
The Tribe
The Kanis mainly inhabit the forests of
Thiruvananthapuram Districts of Kerala. According
to the Census of Govt. of India 1991, their
population is 16,181 which is approximately 1.85
of the total population of the districts. Kanis
are traditionally a nomadic community, but most
of them are settled now for long time
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
The Claim
The unripe fruits of Arogyapacha are eaten
fresh to remain healthy and agile by Kanis during
their long trekking trips in the forest for
procuring their livelihood requirements.
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
TRIBAL IDENTITY
Arogyapacha ? Arogya Health Pacha Green
Hence the term Arogyapacha denotes that, the
plant is helpful for maintaining health always in
a green state.
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus
Burkill. ex Narayanan Belonging to the family
Trichopodaceae. It is a herbaceous, perennial,
rhoizomatous plant found in the Agastyar Hills of
Western Ghats, one of the Hot Spots of the
Country (Kerala and Tamil Nadu region).
AYURVEDIC IDENTITY
 Varahi One of the 18 divine herbs mentioned in
the ancient Ayurvedic treatises, Charaka Samhita
and Susruta Samhita.
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
RESEARCH
Pharmacognosical studies, Phytochemical and
Ethnopharmacological screening, toxicity
studies, study of Arogyapacha including the
clinical pharmacology of herbal formulations
developed from Arogyapacha (Jeevani).
Ethnopharmacological screening of Arogyapacha
reveled various activities such as anti-fatigue,
anti-tumour, anti-gastric ulcer, anti-stress,
anti-allergic, anti-oxidant, adaptogenic,
aphrodisiac, immuno-modulatory and
hepatoprotective.
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
Product Development
Based on Ayurvedic fundamental principles,
formulated a new, poly-herbal Ayurvedic drug
named Jeevani.
Number of patents filed (Process patent)
Four
Number of patents awarded (Process patent)
Two
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
Technology Transfer
Technology for production of the drug Jeevani
has been transferred to a reputed Ayurvedic drug
manufacturing company located in Kerala since
1948, for a period of 7 years. Through this
TBGRI received 10 lakhs rupees as license fee and
2 royalty on ex-factory sales price.
Benefit Sharing (decision taking)
Based on the technology transfer of Jeevani
TBGRI has decided to part with 50 of the licence
fee and royalty with the Kani tribes who provided
the original lead for the development of the
drug.
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
Recognition of IPR and implementation of article
8(j.) of CBD
Through this equitable benefit sharing, TBGRI has
implemented article 8(j.) of the Convention of
Biological Diversity (CBD) and recognised the IPR
of Kani tribes.
Benefit sharing (mechanism worked out)
Kani tribes registered a Trust called Kerala
Kani Samudaya Kshema Trust, with the guidance of
TBGRI and the benefits received by the technology
transfer and royalty were remitted to the Trusts
account.
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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
Benefit sharing (Mechanism implemented)

• Later, in consultation with TBGRI, the Executive
  Committee of the Trust had decided to felicitate
  the three Kani tribes who provided the
  information about Arogyapacha. Accordingly, they
  were felicitated by the trust and a prize money
  of Rs. 20,000/- each was given to Sri. Mallan
  Kani and Sri. Kuttimathan Kani (Rs. 40,000) and
  Rs. 10,000/- to Eachan Kani (Grand total Rs.
  50,000/-). This amount has been taken from the
  first years interest of the 5 Lakhs remitted to
  the trust account. The EC also decided to keep
  Rs. 5 Lakhs as the permanent asset of the trust,
  in the bank and only the interest of that money
  will be utilised for the welfare activities of
  the Kani tribes.

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TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
Benefit sharing (Conclusion)

• A novel model developed by TBGRI for benefit
  sharing - which
• Implemented Article 8(j). of CBD
• Recognised IPR of Kani tribes
• Protected traditional knowledge of Kani tribes
• Extended short term benefits to the informants (3
  Kani tribes men)
• Extended long term benefit to the Kani community

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Recognition of TBGRI model of Benefit sharing
UN Equator Initiative Award

• TBGRI model of Benefit sharing was acclaimed
  world over and in the recently concluded World
  Summit on Sustainable Development held at
  Johannesburg, when TBGRI model of benefit sharing
  received UN Equator Initiative Award. This award
  was received by Dr. P. Pushpangadan under
  individual category. The secretary of the Kerala
  Kani Samudaya Kshema Trust, Sri. Kuttimathan Kani
  attended the World Summit and received the
  certificate of excellence on behalf of the Kerala
  Kani Samudaya Kshema Trust.

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Post Benefit Sharing effect

• Constructed a community hall cum office for the
  Kerala Kani Samudaya Kshema Trust at Chonampara
  tribal settlement, Kottoor, Thiruvananthapuram
  District of Kerala State. By utilising the
  interest of fixed deposit and the interest
  received from the amount of Equator Initiative
  Award.
• Started a reading room at the community hall.
• After a long debate and discussion, recently the
  cultivation of Arogyapacha within the Tribal
  settlement area has been permitted by the Kerala
  Forest Department.

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Current status
Renewal of the technological transfer of Jeevani
is spending and initiated certain measures for
obtaining clarifications / clearance from the
higher authorities.