Editorial
The noise that is Dhaka
Laws against pollution must be strictly implemented
One of the key characteristics of our capital is the level of noise one is exposed to. Loud construction sounds and shrill vehicle noises magnify in multitudes the chaos of over 16 million people trying to make their way around Dhaka every day, making it one of the most 'unlivable' cities in the world, according to international reports.
Noise pollution, an unfortunate but perhaps inevitable by-product of growth, has become a major social -- not to mention health -- concern in developing cities around the world. Thus it must also be dealt with as effectively. In the case of Dhaka, however, despite detailed laws to counter the problem -- such as prohibition of motor honking within a certain distance of hospitals, schools and offices, or of specified construction work in residential areas -- slack enforcement of the law allows people to flout the rules with impunity. What distinguishes noise pollution from other forms of pollution and environmental hazards is, interestingly, the fact that it is created by the direct actions of people and can be reduced drastically by greater awareness and action to follow.
While the obvious effect of noise pollution is loss of hearing, it is hardly the only one. It can aggravate everything from stress levels, headache and irritation to increased blood pressure and heart disease.
Green activists have recently demanded that mobile courts be allowed to take action against noise polluters and that the traffic department cooperate with the Department of Environment to check noise pollution in the city. Awareness campaigns may also be useful in making people more conscious about their pollution-causing activities. We urge the authorities to launch a powerful campaign on the different types of human-made pollution and to ensure that the law is strictly implemented towards bringing down noise pollution in the capital.
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