Transcript Benefit Sharing

TBGRI- KANI MODEL
OF BENEFIT SHARING
PROF. G. M. NAIR, DIRECTOR
Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute
Pacha-Palode, Thiruvananthapuram
695562, Kerala, India
TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
Abstract
Trichopus zeylanicus ssp. travancoricus Burkill. ex
Narayanan
Documentation of ethno medical knowledge of Kani
tribes, research, product development, patenting,
licensing, technology transfer and benefit sharing
TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
The Discovery
It was an accidental discovery made a team lead by
Scientists of TBGRI during the EthnomedicoBotanical 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
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
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.
TBGRI
MODEL FOR
TRIBAL IDENTITY
BENEFIT SHARING
‘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.
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, antigastric ulcer, anti-stress, anti-allergic, anti-oxidant,
adaptogenic,
aphrodisiac,
immuno-modulatory
and
hepatoprotective.
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
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.
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 Trust’s account.
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 year’s 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.
TBGRI MODEL FOR BENEFIT SHARING
Benefit sharing (Conclusion)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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
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.
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.
Current status
Renewal of the technological transfer of Jeevani is spending
and initiated certain measures for obtaining clarifications /
clearance from the higher authorities.