Reasons
- Traffic: Congested roads, honking vehicles, and two-wheelers are significant contributors to noise pollution in Indian cities.
- Construction Activities: Construction sites with heavy machinery, drilling, and blasting generate substantial noise, especially in urban areas.
- Industries: Factories and industrial processes can produce loud noises that affect surrounding communities.
- Religious Activities: Loudspeakers used during religious festivals and ceremonies can disrupt sleep and cause annoyance.
- Social Events: Weddings, parties, and social gatherings can generate noise, particularly at night, disturbing residents.
Impacts
- Hearing Loss: Prolonged exposure to loud noise can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss, especially for children and those working in noisy environments.
- Health Issues: Noise pollution can contribute to stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, and impaired cognitive function.
- Reduced Productivity: Noise can disrupt concentration and work performance in offices and educational institutions.
- Impact on Wildlife: Animals, especially those relying on sound for communication and navigation, can be negatively affected by noise pollution.
Measures
- Earlier: Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- Currently: Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Noise standards for motor vehicles, air-conditioners, refrigerators, diesel generators and certain construction equipment are prescribed under: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Noise emanating from industry is regulated by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981