Echan Kani's death places fight for rights to arogya pacha back in focus

THE death of Echan Kani, one of the three Kani tribe members who introduced the medicinal plant arogya pacha to the world, has put the focus back on the wonder plant known for its rejuvenating properties.

- VARSHA SOMARAJ @T'Puram

Echan Kani of Kuttichal Chonnampara, in the Agasthya forest area of Kottur, was found dead in a cave inside the Agasthya forest a few days ago. He had been missing since February 2. His three-day-old body was found by forest officials and relatives. Police found pesticide containers near the scene and a preliminary investigation suggested poisoning.

He's survived by wives Maathi and Karimi, and children Ammu, Nirmala, Priyanka, and Anjana.

Echan Kani, along with Kuttymathan Kani and Mallan Kani, revealed the properties of arogya pacha (Trichopus zeylanicus) to researchers of the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (TBGRI), Palode, in 1987. The herb, which reportedly enhances immunity, has been used by the Kani tribe for centuries.