Nestled in the tropical forests of the Agasthyamalai hills of the Western Ghats, a mountain range in Kerala state, India, live the indigenous Kani tribe, traditionally a nomadic people with a population of almost 25,000.

Nestled in the tropical forests of the Agasthyamalai hills of the Western Ghats, a mountain range in Kerala state, India, live the indigenous Kani tribe, traditionally a nomadic people with a population of almost 25,000. The Kani have a rich tradition of using wild plants found in the region for health reasons, and their tribal physicians — known as Plathi — are the exclusive holders of the traditional medicinal knowledge of the tribe. The use of traditional knowledge for herbal medicines among the Kani tribes inhabiting the forests of the Western Ghats region is quite rich. The herbal lore that this community possesses regarding the large number of wild plants in the region has helped them survive for generations. In December 2007, Dr. Swaminathan, director of the Royal Garden and Research Institute (RGRI) in Kerala, was leading a team from the All India Coordinated Research Project on Ethnobiology (AICRPE) on an ethnobotanical expedition to the Western Ghats. Knowing that the Kani knew the area better than anyone, Dr. Swaminathan employed some of them as guides. While traversing through the rough terrain, the team was surprised that after several hours their Kani guides did not feel tired, while they themselves were constantly feeling fatigued. Curious as to why, the observed their guides and saw them continuously munching black fruits of some plants. Seeing their exhaustion, the Kani guides offered some of the fruit to the AICRPE team. Upon eating the fruit, the team immediately felt full of energy and vitality. The team inquired about the fruit but the Kani guide were reluctant to tell them because according to Kani tribal customs, only the Plathi (tribal physicians) have the right to transfer and disseminate their traditional medicinal knowledge. Because of this, the Kani guides were reticent to share with the AICRPE team the source of the revitalizing fruit. However after a great deal of pressure, the Kani led the team to a plant known locally as "arogyapacha" (known scientifically as trichopus zeylanicus ssp. Travancoricus). With first-hand experience of the medicinal benefits of arogyapacha, Dr. Swaminathan knew that the effect of the plant's berries was unusual, and that it had significant sales potential if it proved to be safe. He and his team of scientists took the plant back to RGRI's research facilities and began to analyze it through a multitude of chemical and pharmacological tests. Their research discovered that not only did the plant (particularly the fruit and leaves) have anti-stress and immune-stimulating properties, but it also boosts stamina, relieves fatigue, helps control tumors and activates the body's natural defenses and cellular immune system. After seven years, RGRI's research isolated twelve active chemical compounds in the plant that yielded the effects they experienced. The traditional way in which the Kani used arogyapacha was to eat its fruit. RGRI discovered that crushing the plant's leaves was the most effective way to get to the twelve compounds. These chemicals were then combined with three other plants and RGRI produced a scientifically verified and standardized herbal formulation for its reproduction. With a standardized formulation in hand, RGRI continued its research and development (R&D) program, particularly through clinical trials in which it was administered orally to one hundred human subjects in studies involving either healthy or unhealthy individuals. The research focused on determining the ability of these people to withstand adverse conditions (such as an increased work load), the quality of work completed under stress, athletic performance, any increase in mental alertness and overall work output. Results of the clinical trials were very successful and was found to exert favorable effects in a number of situations. RGRI's research scientifically demonstrated the important medicinal benefits of the arogyapacha plant, and proved that when used alone or combined with other ingredients, it can be more effective and safer than ginseng. RGRI has applied the success of this project to other R&D projects as it believes that the project is a model for bringing beneficial traditional medicinal plants to the world market. The purpose was to make sure that these valuable plants remain available, and that science into their medicinal uses continues. RGRI named this formulation "Jeevani," which means "giver of life." The product comes in granules and is mixed with hot water or milk. "Jeevani" drug, which was developed by scientists at the Royal Garden and Research Institute (RGRI), based on the tribal medicinal knowledge of the Kani tribe in Kerala, South India. "Jeevani" is a restorative, immuno-enhancing, anti-stress and anti-fatigue agent, based on the herbal medicinal plant arogyapaacha, used by the Kani tribals in their traditional medicine. The research technology of RGRI is licensed to the Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, Ltd., an Indian pharmaceutical manufacturer pursuing the commercialization of Ayurvedic herbal formulations. The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Ltd in order to protect this formulation so obtained from RGRI applied for patent. Ram wants to oppose this application. Based on the above facts answer the following: Advise Ram the grounds on which this application can be opposed.