“Heavy fines will be levied on noise pollution caused at religious places, wedding ceremonies and/or by vehicles,” informed the State government’s notice, that lies in consonance the Central Government’s Noise Pollution Regulation Control Act, 2000.
Noise has become the new normal and increasingly a nuisance in India, especially in the country’s urbans.
In a 2020 study, undertaken with 70 monitoring stations across 7 Indian cities found that 90 per cent of these were surviving noise levels beyond acceptable limits both during day and night (at times even double the permissible limits).
For a Europe based study, at least one million healthy years of life are lost each year in the continent alone due to noise pollution (excluding the numbers due to noise from industrial workplaces).
The endurance of human ear for an unwanted noise is up to 85 dB. Anything beyond the limit can impede their individual productivity and quality of life.
The decibel levels of not-so-rare sounds are considered ‘loud’ above 80 dB while those between 100-125 dB, are termed ‘uncomfortable’.
Today, the average noise level of 98 dB exceeds the WHO’s allowed value of 50 dB for residential areas.
How Noise affects the living?
In spite of the physical trauma to ears, a human can experience unimaginable mental trauma and behavioral changes arising out of sound disturbances.
A gradual but regular exposure can yield irritation, lack of sleep, poor concentration, nervousness and difficulties in taking day-to-day decisions. Tinnitus is a known hearing problem due to this continuous endangering of peace.
Various studies’ results have shown a 64% correlation between hearing loss and noise pollution.
A recent study by the American College of Cardiology has linked noise pollution to increased cardiovascular problems (high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, coronary heart disease) due to a stress hormone release called Cortisol.
In children, it can seriously hinder normal development of speech and hearing along with delayed or no developmental growth at all.
According to WHO, the noise pollution annually robs Western Europe’s 340 million people of at least 1 million disability-free years.
Noise pollution is even known to reduce reproductive rate of various birds like common sparrows.
Anthropogenic noise is known to have a detrimental effect on animals, risking their lives by changing the delicate balance in predatory skills and killer detection. It also interferes with the use of the sounds in communication, especially in reproduction, navigation and echolocation.
Does Noise prevail the laws in India?
Noise pollution and its antecedents were previously covered under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
And now, a separate legislation under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 has been carved out to deal it distinctly.
Exceptionally, noise standards for several entities like motor vehicles, air-conditioners, refrigerators, diesel generators and certain types of construction equipment have been guidelined under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.
The responsibility to regulate the noise emanating from industry lies with the State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs) for states / Union territories under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
What are the nation-wide permissible limits?
According to the limitations imposed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), the permissible limit for Industry is 75 dB (daytime) and 70 dB (night) and for residential areas is 55 dB (daytime) and 45 dB (night).
While in commercial areas, 65 dB and 55 dB are allowed for day and night respectively.
Uttarakhand gives a clear signal to nuisance-makers: A welcome step
“If a person violates the specified ‘decibel’ for the first time, he/she will be fined ₹1,000, for the second time, the fine levied will be ₹2,500 and for the third time, the fine levied will be ₹5,000”.
Concerning Religious places, the fine levied will be Rs 5,000 for first-timers, Rs 10,000 for second-timers and the third time the fine will become Rs 15,000.
Similarly, for hotels/restaurants, the charge involved is Rs 10,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively.
Industries operating at such fragile environmental junction, are also legible to pay the fines if caused noise pollution. The fine for creating unnecessary noise for the first time is Rs 20,000, the second time – Rs 30,000 and the third time will be Rs 40,000.
If need be, the government will also feel free to confiscate noise-making devices.
This was a necessary step to control the unregulated creation of Noise in the hill jungles: by Resorts for weddings, by tourists for fun etc.
Noise control and India’s stand:
For better human capital formation, we shall reduce noise propagation s well as protect the individuals from its overexposure. In Urban areas, this can be achieved through better urban planning and design of roads. However rural areas seem to be affected greatly too, with lesser restrictions.
Innate use of noise barriers, alteration of roadway surface texture, limitation of heavy vehicles and road honking, use of traffic controls that smooth vehicle flow to reduce braking and acceleration, and tire design can also help the cause.
These controls work only if we also control the amount of undesirable noise coming out of our accessorized tools including Loudspeakers etc. Because in India, celebrations are equated with noise and the very association can’t be banished or washed off so easily.
The Supreme Court of India banned playing of music on loudspeakers after 10pm enforcing a right to live in freedom from noise pollution has been included under fundamental right to live protected by Article 21.
In 2015, NGT even directed the authorities in Delhi to ensure strict adherence but any implementation of the law continues to remain poor.
Noise pollution is a threat to a human’s essential connection to the very Nature, whose cradle it uses to sustain and survive. The excessive-unnecessary noises devoid an aesthetic human of his/her ability to listen to the beautiful hymns of Nature, necessary for a happy life.
Who doesn’t want to hear a Cuckoo cooing before Mangoes season? To our very surprise, Noise pollution has even existed into the deepest oceans. In 2015, researchers could even ascertain the threat from Challenger deep (in the garb of Mariana Trench).