The civic
body plans to distribute saplings of the shrub, which sometimes grows
into a three-metre-tall tree. “Through the parks department, we will
distribute it to households along canals and plant it along the banks of
waterways,” said mayor Saidai Duraisamy. The nochi plant (Vitex
nigundo) is found in most village homes, says siddha expert Dr
Veerababu.

The plant reportedly contains vitnocide alkaloids, a
chemical substance that keeps away mosquitoes and flies. “The plant has
certain essential oils that have anti-bacterial and anti-microbial
properties,” said Dr Veerababu.

The plant’s oils exude a certain smell that prevents larvicidal activities of mosquitoes and house flies,” he said.

Experts say a household with 10 nochi shrubs can successfully remain
mosquito-free. “We visited many houses in Alapakkam, Nerkundram and
Tambaram that have the plants along their compound walls. Despite heavy
water stagnation during the monsoon, families said they did not have
many mosquitoes,” he said.

The plant is reportedly easy to grow
because it has nitrogenous roots. “It is good for the soil. It does not
require much water or manure, just sunlight is enough,” said Veerababu.

The corporation has placed an order with the agriculture
department for seeds and saplings. The nochi plant, according to siddha
and ayurveda books, has medicinal properties that prevent stomach
infections and is an effective cure for throat infections.

However, residents say the new plan merely exposes how desperate the
corporation is to find a solution to the mosquito problem.

“They have to clean the canals and water bodies completely to prevent
mosquito breeding. Instead of doing that, they are giving us plants,”
said Vishnu C, a resident of Kotturpuram.