People are suffering from hearing problems, on a large scale, due to sound pollution.
However, they know very little about sound level standards and the existing rules that regulate the levels.
A government survey shows that sound levels, in every divisional city of Bangladesh, have surpassed their permitted limits.
In some places, noise levels are double and sometimes thrice the permissible levels.
Most people are not aware of the rules regarding this issue and many do not know where to lodge complaints to end this problem.
People’s opinions about sound control
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune Shahanaj Parveen, from Khulna – the city with the highest implementation rate of sound control rules – said: “Maybe there is a law to control sound pollution because we have seen signboards in front of schools and hospitals instructing us to drive slow and not make noise. But I am not sure what the law is. And I do not know how, and where, to file a complaint against noise polluters.”
Mobin Uddin from Mirpur, Dhaka said: “There might a law to control sound pollution, as we have heard the traffic police say not to honk our horns in the city. However, I have no idea whether there is any law other than noise which is caused by microphones or loud music, etc.”
Findings of Department of Environment survey
In June 2017, the Department of Environment conducted a survey titled “Bibhagio Shohorer Shobder Matra Porimap Bishoyok Jorip Prortibedon”, to measure noise pollution and the public’s awareness of its legislation.
They selected 206 places, in eight divisional cities, to measure the sound levels.
Sounds levels in: Chittagong 41, Sylhet 20, Khulna 20, Barisal 15, Rampur 15, Mymensingh 15, seventy points in Dhaka, and 10 points in Rajshahi were found to have exceeded the permitted level of decibels.
The survey also found that the people are unaware of the 2006 sound pollution control law—and very few have seen the law implemented.
A total of 18,540 people were surveyed to determine the extent of their knowledge about sound pollution rules and regulations.
According to the survey, the following percentages of people have no knowledge about the rules regarding noise pollution: 66% in Barisal, 55% in Rangpur, 55% in Rajshahi, 54% in Mymensingh, 49% in Sylhet, 48 % in Chittagong, 48% in Khulna, and 46% in Dhaka.
Implementation of the sound control rules is rarely observed.
Department of Environment officials’ comments
The Department of Environment issued fines for 20-30 cases in 2017, said its Enforcement Director Rubina Ferdousy.
The survey further showed that in Dhaka, only 3.6% have seen the laws being implemented. In Chittagong 3.1%, in Sylhet 8.3%, in Khulna 25.2%, in Barisal 1.6%, in Rangpur 3.6%, in Rajshahi 5.3%, and in Mymensingh 3.6 % of people have observed the laws being implemented.
Department of Environment ICT Director and “Coordinated and Participatory Program to Control Sound Pollution” Program Director Farid Ahmed said: “The awareness among people is increasing daily. Just enforcing the law will not solve the problem.
“First, the public has to be more aware – we are trying to make the public aware – and also enforcement activities should increase to end this problem.”
Rubina said: “All of our offices receive complaints. Even a person can directly complain to the director general. We will investigate and take action according to the law.”
The highest punishment for noise pollution is one year of imprisonment, a Tk5,000 fine, or both—for a first time offense. For a second offense, the punishment will be six months’ imprisonment, a Tk10,000 fine, or both.
The country’s highest level of noise pollution was recorded in Dhaka’s Farmgate area— 130.2 decibels during the daytime and 65.7decibels at night.
According to a survey, sound pollution has reached its highest levels, of 120-130 decibels, at many points across Dhaka city.
According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2006, acceptable sound levels are 55 decibels for daytime – 6am to 9pm –and 45 decibels for night – 9pm to 6am – in residential areas; 50 decibels for daytime and 40 decibels for night in quiet places; 60 decibels for daytime and 50 decibels for night in mixed areas; 70 decibels for daytime and 60 decibels for night in commercial areas; and 75 decibels for daytime and 70 decibels for night in industrial areas.
