Indigenous knowledge organization: An Indian scenario

The basic component of any country's knowledge system is its Indigenous Knowledge (IK). This paper presents an overview of IK by defining it as a local and tacit knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society and forms the basis for local-level decision; its characteristics and types; its impact on social development with successful IK initiatives in other countries and Indian initiatives with case studies. The paper also discusses sustaining of IK and identifies reasons for current Intellectual Property Systems (IPSs)’ inability to protect IK. It highlights international and Indian initiatives for protection of IK. India made amendments to Indian patent law; enacted Acts related to Convention on Biological Diversity, Indian legislation for the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer's Right Act and Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. Also, it suggests measures to extend protection by documentation of IK, registration and innovations patent system and development of a sui generis system. Finally, the paper concludes that the emerging challenge to the existing IPSs is to take care of systems that include animate objects such as plants and animals, and informal systems of innovation such as those by grassroots innovators. Hence, there is a need for innovation in the IPSs itself!