misused. By this we mean that whoever uses our knowledge must do so according to our
Guni dharma. We completely reject the use of our knowledge in ways that either degrade
the environment or deny the poorest in society from receiving treatment. Either action is a
form of exploitation that goes against our Guni dharma and has serious implications for
society and the efficacy of the knowledge.
Free, prior and informed consent: We regularly share our knowledge amongst ourselves
according to our customary norms that encourage the sharing of knowledge, but prohibit
the transfer of knowledge to those who will misuse it by going against our Guni dharma.
If an outsider wants to access our knowledge, the Guni who is approached will inform other
Gunis through Jagran Jan Vikas Samiti (JJVS), the organization that has since 1994 assisted
Gunis in Rajasthan and six other states to revitalize our traditions. We will then hold a
meeting of our governing body, the appropriate Gunis, local conservation farmers, and other
relevant community members. We will require full information about the intended use of
the knowledge.
While we will assess each request on a case by case basis, any sharing of knowledge will be
subject to our Guni dharma as set out in this protocol. In addition to the two core values of
conserving nature and not denying access to healthcare to the poorest of our communities,
our Guni dharma includes:
• No sharing of our knowledge with anyone who would try to make excessive profits.
The benefits to the individual should be commensurate with those to the
environment and society;
• The researchers and/or companies have to share some benefits with the community
where the Guni is based, including recognition of our role in developing the
traditional knowledge;
• We want to be involved in parts of the research;
• No patenting of the knowledge;
• Any use would be on the basis of a share alike license;
• The outcomes must be translated into our main languages: Mewari and Hindi;
• Any subsequent change of use of the knowledge requires renewed prior informed
consent (PIC);
• We will not at this stage deal with foreign companies; and
• We want a continuing relationship with the user in terms of periodic reports.
To sum up, anyone who wants to engage with us must acknowledge our development of
the knowledge and should be prepared to treat the environment with equilibrium such
that there is no degradation and reciprocity so that anything we provide is compensated in
a like manner according to our values.
We conserve and sustainably use biodiversity
Nature is sacred and has intrinsic value. Those who do not treat nature as sacred cannot be
healers, because caring for nature is the dharma of a healer. People should give their lives to
save the trees.