Green activists on Wednesday urged the government to take immediate measures to stop noise pollution as the capital’s noise pollution reached an alarming level.
At a report launching programme, they suggested proper implementation of the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006, raising awareness, stopping use of unnecessary horns, hydraulic horn and proper maintenance of vehicle.
Save the Environment Movement organised the programme at its office of the capital to mark International Sound Pollution Awareness Day.
They made the report by conducting survey and measuring sound levels in different areas of the city.
The noise pollution report revealed that in ‘calm areas’ the sound level at day time was 84-104 decibel which was 1.5-2 times higher than the standard.
The standard sound level for calm areas is 50 decibel for day time and 40 for night.
The report discovered that at day time in ‘mix areas’ the sound pollution level was 88-104 decibel, in commercial areas it was 91-108 decibel and industrial areas 86-103 decibel.
The Department of Environment former additional director general, Md Abdus Sobhan, presented the report and said that noise pollution in the capital was alarming.
He said that in calm, residential, mixed areas, day and night’s sound level is 1.5-2 times higher than the standard level.
Abdus Sobhan said the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006 identifies hospitals, educational institutions and offices areas as well as surrounding 100 kilometer areas as ‘calm areas’ where use of horn was prohibited.
The act also says that the city corporations, city development authorities and other authorities will identify the areas and set up signboards to raise awareness though no mentionable activities were done in this direction, he said.
Save the Environment Movement joint general secretary Syed Monwar Hossain, Peace secretary general Ifma Hossain, BCHRD executive director Md Mahbubul Haque also spoke.
-With New Age input
