TABLE OF CONTENTS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY; INTRODUCTION; 1. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE; 1.1 Who Are Indigenous People; l.l.1 Defining indigenous people; l.l.2 Status of indigenous people; l.l.3 International attempts for recognition of indigenous people; l.1.4 Constitutional background in India with respect of indigenous people; 1.2 Traditional Knowledge; l.2.1 Traditional knowledge and indigenous knowledge; 1.2.2 Importance of traditional knowledge; 2. TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE; 2.1 Traditional Medicines; 2.2 Traditional Medicinal Knowledge – Its Significance; 2.3 Problems Faced By Traditional Medicinal Knowledge; 2.4 What Do You Exactly Mean By 'Protection' Of Traditional Medicinal Knowledge; 3. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ATTEMPTS TO PROTECT TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE; 3.1 International Ventures - An Overview; 3.2 Various National Attempts To Protect Traditional Medicinal Knowledge; 3.2.1 Concept of access and benefit sharing to protect traditional medicinal knowledge; 3.2.2 Concept of collective or community rights; 3.2.3 Concept of protection under the intellectual property rights regime; PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE; 4.1 Customary Laws And Protection Of Traditional Knowledge; 4.2 International Arena; 4.3 Suggestions By WIPO - IGC For The Protection Of Traditional Knowledge; 4.4 Petty Patents; 4.5 Defensive Protection; 4.6 Information’s Gathered From The Field work Conducted; 4.6.1 Purpose of the fieldwork; 4.6.2 Kerala Institute For Research Training And Development Studies Of Sch. Castes And Sch. Tribes (Kirtads), Government Of Kerala; 4.6.3 Siddhashram; 4.6.4 Arya Vaidya Sala (Ayurvedic Centre), Kottakkal; 4.6.5 Foundation For Revitalization Of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT); 5. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS; BIBLIOGRAPHY; ANNEXURE.