The newly-formed Mylapore Residents Welfare Association (MRWA) has embarked on a drive to give every house a touch of green. They expect it to serve as a mosquito repellent.
MRWA, along with the non-governmental organisation, Thuvakkam, have embarked on a ‘Nochi Awareness Project’ that aims to make neighbourhoods in the Mylapore region mosquito-free zone through nochi saplings. For Phase I of the Project, nearly 2000 nochi saplings were procured from the Chennai Corporation. Last week, another 3,000 saplings were procured.
“Nochi is a natural insect repellent. Insects are allergic to the odour of its leaves. It can be grown as an indoor plant. When a mosquito sits on the leaves of this plant, it becomes sterile,” says a note from K. Vishwanathan, vice-president of MRWA, asking residents to get involved in the project.
The campaign has been receiving an encouraging response. Representatives from some apartments at Luz Avenue have collected many saplings to have them distributed to residents at their apartment complexes.
“We thought introducing this Project would be a good way to start our welfare activities in the neighbourhood,” says K. Vishwanathan.
A stock of Nochi saplings have been kept at Nageshwararao Park. Residents can visit the park and collect saplings from the gardener. To ensure accountability of the saplings, the resident must leave his/her address and contact number.
Those interested in having these saplings, may call or send an SMS to 9444333624.
“Once we complete the nochi drive in Mylapore, we plan to plant saplings along the canal with the help of the Corporation,” said Vishwanathan.
