The plant, known locally as arogyappacha (scientific name: trichopus zcylanicus), is popular among the illiterate Kanis who rely on it to combat tiredness.

The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) who patented compounds extracted from the plant share the royalties equally with the tribals. ``The anti-fatigue properties of the compounds have a lot of potential in sports medicine, old age remedies, etc,'' says NBRI Director P Pushpagandan.

The institute, which recently began making profits from the patent, has invested Rs 7 lakh in a trust set up to benefit the tribe's 12,000 members. Kani tribals comprise 60 per cent of the trust's managing committee. The interest earned from the royalty will be utilised for the welfare ofthe local people, Pushpagandan told The Indian Express.

Scientists and researchers from Commonwealth country who met at the First Commonwealth Science Forum here to discuss Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) cite NBRI's case as an example of equitable sharing of intellectual property benefits with indigenous peoples. ``The United Nations summit on bio-diversity at Rio de Janeiro in 1992 clearly specified that the country of origin and the local community should benefit from research done on micro-organisms found within their jurisdiction,'' says J H Seyani, chief programme officer, bio-diversity and genetic resources, Commonwealth Science Council, London.

The scientists under the aegis of the British Commonwealth are meeting to discuss ways and means to implement the Rio de Janeiro declaration. ``There is need for access regulations to genetic resources belonging to developing countries,'' says Dr Seyani.

Delegates for the meet include scientists from United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand,Pakistan, and Africa.

The forum has mooted a linkage of all commonwealth countries by a knowledge network in order to protect the IPRs of individual countries. The scientists will release their declaration on Saturday.