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News: Kuttimathan Kani, the forest elder who revealed Arogyapacha, died in poverty at 72 on August 23, 2025 near Kerala’s Agasthyamalai forests.
About Arogyapacha
- It is a small rhizomatous perennial herb (Trichopus zeylanicus),
- Distribution: Sri Lanka, southern India, Malaysia; near streams in lowland forests; around 1,000 m in India
- In India: It is endemic to the Western Ghats (Agasthya hills).
- Importance: It is revered as a “miracle plant.” Used by the Kani tribe to combat fatigue.
- University of Kerala decoded its genome, enabling work on secondary metabolism, genetic improvement, and comparative studies
About Kani Tribe
- The Kani (Kanikarars) live in the Agasthyamalai hills of the Western Ghats, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- They are traditionally nomadic; but now settled. (not notified as a PVTG)
- Population: Around 25,000 living in hamlets of 10–20 families around forest areas.
- Language: Tamil and Malayalam.
- Governance
- Each settlement has a hereditary council: Moottukani (chief), Vilikani (convenor), Pilathi/Plathi (physician-priest).
- The Moottukani combined the roles of lawgiver, protector, judge, and healer.
- Pilathi/Plathi are believed to have special powers. They perform rituals, chant mantras, and use the Kokara Only Pilathi/Plathi may preserve and transmit traditional medical knowledge.
- Livelihoods
- Handicrafts, seasonal collection of honey and beeswax.
- Farming tapioca, banana, millets, and cash crops.
- Key strength
- Vast expertise in medicinal plants – famous for using Arogyapacha.
