Tribal elder Kuttimathan Kani, who brought ‘Arogyapacha’ to global light, dies at 72

Kattakada: Kuttimathan Kani (72), a tribal elder from Chonampara settlement in Kottoor Agasthyavanam, who was part of the group that introduced the rare medicinal plant ‘Arogyapacha’ (Trichopus zeylanicus) to the outside world, has passed away. The plant is endemic to the forests of the Western Ghats. He died of cancer on Saturday afternoon, while undergoing treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

It was Kuttimathan Kani, along with Mallan Kani and Eechan Kani, who guided researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), located at Palode, to ‘Arogyapacha’, a plant revered for its rejuvenating properties. This eventually led to the development of the herbal medicine 'Jeevani' in collaboration with The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, with a share of the profits being allocated to the Kerala Kani Community Welfare Trust.

The Trust went on to cultivate ‘Arogyapacha’ in forest lands and hand it over for production. Kuttimathan Kani was a lifelong executive member of this Trust. Eechan Kani, another member of the original group, passed away several months ago.

In 2002, Kuttimathan Kani represented India at the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg, South Africa, organised by the United Nations. There, he had the rare opportunity to meet and greet global leaders, including Nelson Mandela.

Shaking hands with Mandela

Meeting Nelson Mandela — the legendary anti-apartheid leader — and being able to shake his hand was a moment Kuttimathan Kani later described as one of the most cherished experiences of his life.

It was during his participation in the 2002 Earth Summit that Kuttimathan Kani became the first tribal person from Kerala’s indigenous settlements to attend such an international event. He was a key figure among the tribal community that introduced ‘Arogyapacha’ or ‘Chathan Kizhangu’ to the world.

At this summit, he also accepted the first-ever Equator Initiative Award on behalf of the Kerala Kani Community Welfare Trust. Kuttimathan, who had once considered consuming Chathan Kizhangu to end his life due to hunger in his youth, went on to become globally recognised at the age of 49 for introducing this very plant to the scientific community.

Under his leadership, the cultivation of Arogyapacha began in the Agasthyavanam area through the Kerala Kani Community Welfare Trust. He served as one of the Trust’s founding secretaries and was a lifelong member.

The recognition and invitation to the Earth Summit came in the context of the community's efforts in preserving indigenous biodiversity and their model of poverty alleviation through sustainable development.

He was also active in local progressive movements. Kuttimathan Kani had been under treatment for cancer for a long time. He was admitted to the Medical College Hospital two days ago and passed away on Saturday afternoon.

He is survived by wife Vasantha and daughters Subhashini, Surabhi, Sudarshini and Sugathakumari.