Indian Knowledge Tradition and Environment

Traditional knowledge is the information or method or process or practices about any particular science which came down to us from our forefathers in the form of customs, usages, folklore, literature, way of living, and habits. India is world’s oldest civilization encompass huge amount of traditional knowledge, which can reshape, rebuilt India’s journey towards prominence. This traditional knowledge either in respect of herbs, crafts, arts, technique or medicinal knowledge are common heritage of mankind. India which is seventh largest country of the world has three of the world biological hotspot and various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Further various traditional knowledge evolves through the flora and fauna of the Indian biodiversity. Any patent or copyright which originates from such traditional knowledge will hamper the growth and rights of the indigenous and local communities. Therefore, these communities are against such patenting of traditional knowledge. To protect such rights over traditional knowledge Patent (Amendment) Act, 2002, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ right Act,2001 Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and were legislated by Parliament of India. This present study views India’ rich heritage in terms of traditional knowledge in its wider approach using doctrinal method.