Noise pollution

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NON-government organisations (NGOs), environment bodies and civil society members talk about many environmental issues. But noise pollution is one of the environmental issues that has not yet been seriously addressed.
Dhaka continues to be unbearably noisy which makes it look more chaotic and its residents nervous than it should be the case. The biggest noise creators are perhaps the honking vehicles. Firstly there is misuse of horns and then the horn is of the forbidden nerve-racking kind. Buses and trucks are still using the banned hydraulic horn. These horns had been banned decades ago but the ban turned out to be only in paper. Different violators of the law operate subtly. This makes detection and action against them difficult. But there is no subtlety or secrecy about the use of hydraulic horn and the traffic rule is being violated openly for everyone to hear.
The noise polluters do not even respect hospitals, educational institutions, residential quarters and the declared silent zones. Another noise pollution relates to use of mikes, and high sound music playing along roadsides. Although some steps were taken to contain air pollution and water pollution, noise pollution goes on undeterred. The reason may be lack of awareness among the law enforcers and policy makers.
The long-term effects of exposure to loud noises are dangerous. It can affect the nervous system and hearing and induce heart ailment. But it is not only a question of health alone but also of civic nuisance. It is needless to ask for laws to check sound pollution; the laws are already there. All that are needed are civic responsibility, awareness, and accountability of the law enforcers.
Ahmed Sobhan
Dhanmandi R/A, Dhaka