Din and bustle of the city life has made the city dwellers quite materialistic where the complete peace of mind of the residential people is simply missing with the progress of the day because of the extreme noise pollution here in Bangladesh. But, who cares? Violation of noise pollution rules and regulations, outdated implementation policy and lack of health safety awareness are the prime reasons of their misfortune living existence.
According to a recent study by the Department of Environment (DoE), all the divisional headquarters in Bangladesh have become the visible threat as the sound levels are far beyond the acceptable level for the human ears. Although there are some designated areas for commercial and industrial purpose, zoning impact has become less effective because of its poor implementation policy.
It is also awful common picture here in Bangladesh to have the commercial and industrial activities in almost every residential area of Dhaka city. A lot of workshops, car repairing garages, welding shops, metal works and many more noise producing industries are now exist side by side with the residential areas which is completely opposite to the zoning concept. But, the concern authorities have no headache to mitigate the predicament.
The sources of noise pollution are multifarious. It can be-generated in these enterprises from clanging, banging and whirring. Specially, the people who are dwelling in such places are the worst victims of the intolerable noise pollution. But, there is no alternative way for the permanent residences to move to a relatively better location which increases their pangs and sufferings in their everyday life.
This dreadful phenomenon is very common not only in Dhaka city but also in the whole country. Noise pollution in different forms is gradually deteriorating the living standard of the common people. Though many backdated rules and regulations exist here in Bangladesh, no fruitful actions have been taken to mitigate this harmful act.
According to a recent study in 2018, the average sound level is 80-110 db in the prime areas such as Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Gabtoli and Mohakhali Bus Terminal. In this context, World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the fact that this noise exposure is almost double the maximum noise level that can be tolerated by humans (60db).
An effective survey conducted at 70 points of the Dhaka city in 2017 by the Department of Environment (DoE). According to the report, sound pollution has reached the highest 120-130 decibels (db) at many points which is almost double of the permissible level. This study also revealed that around 11.7 per cent of the population in Bangladesh had lost their hearing due to noise pollution.
According to the report, the noise level was above 120db during daytime at Gabtoli, Arambagh intersection, Gulshan-2 intersection, Gulistan intersection, Mirpur 10 intersection, Banglamotor, New Market, Mascot Plaza of Uttara, Jagannath University and other areas. Among the 70 points, the lowest sound level was recorded 99.6db during daytime and 43.7db at night at Road-18 of Uttara-14.
Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 emphasizes that the acceptable sound limit in the silent areas for Bangladesh is 50db for daytime and 40db for night; in residential areas 55 db for daytime and 45db for night, in the mixed areas 60db for the daytime and 50db for night, in commercial areas 70db for daytime and 60db for night and here in the industrial areas 75dbfor daytime and 70db for night.
According to the guidelines, exceeding the maximum noise level in a certain area is a punishable offence. Using a stone breaker machine in a residential area is also prohibited. To organize any social or religious event that could generate loud noise in a residential area, people need to have a permit from the DoE. But, what is the impact of rules and regulation if there is no proper policy for implementation? The DoE survey warns us that noise pollution has increased alarmingly at different parts of the capital. The highest noise level recorded at Farmgate was 130.2db during daytime and the lowest 65.7db at night. It also found that in Dhaka, 500-1,000 vehicles honk at the same time when stuck in traffic.
According to the World Health Organization, around 5 per cent of the world population is facing several kinds of health hazards due to complexities related to noise pollution.
A chart of human tolerance for different noise levels as per WHO has presented below:
WHO also emphasizes that the safe limit of sound is 45 decibels. Sound over 65 decibels creates heart diseases and over 90 decibels of sound leads to ulcer, hearing problems and changes of nerve system and that of over 120 decibels creates pain in the ears and destroys hearing ability gradually.
According to psychiatrists and cardiologists, noise pollution is one of the prime causes of heart attack, high blood pressure, stomach problem and many other mental complications. In some cases, intolerable sound pollution may lead to death also. But, here we can reduce the impact of noise pollution by taking some precautions. If we become a little aware, it will be then possible to control this problem.
Yet, most of the people of our country have no any authentic idea about the impact of noise pollution on the human health. But, silently and surely they are suffering due to the adverse effects of sound pollution. Although several non-governmental organizations have taken some work against the fact, it is insufficient compared to the necessity.
In order to control sound pollution, a well-planned mobilized scheme is mandatory to executive. Although traffic police takes some initiatives to control the noise pollution, the steps are merely a symbolic one than that of a real practical value. The duties of the traffic police and administration must be performed efficiently; effective implementation of the traffic rules and policies are mandatory and the violators must be brought under the punishment.
It is high time for the government to take some epoch-making initiatives to modifying the existing Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006. Common people must be motivated by demonstrating short documentary videos on the ominous effect of noise pollution on their transitory life and living. Self-awareness, safety precaution and respect to the laws need to be nurtured and otherwise, all the collective efforts will be nipped in the bud.
The writer is Assistant Deputy Secretary, BKMEA E-mail: ranaduttabkmea@gmail.com
