Integrated project to be undertaken to control noise pollution: Environment minister

The government has undertaken a project involving the general people to reduce noise pollution to a tolerable level, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said.

He made these remarks today while inaugurating a workshop on the integrated and participatory project as the chief guest. The workshop was organised by the Department of Environment (DoE). Director General of DoE Rafique Ahammed chaired the program.

The project involves collecting public opinion and implementing various awareness programs.

Shahab Uddin said the BRTA registers about 300,000-400,000 new vehicles every year and noted that the increasing number of vehicles raises noise pollution by about 55%.

Mentioning that excessive traffic noise disrupts people's lives, he said: "Now is the time to build resistance against noise pollution for a sustainable socio-economic development. We should build safe havens for the future generations."

Special guest Environment Secretary Ziaul Hasan NDC said that the project would help raise public awareness about noise pollution.

Additional Director General of DoE & Project Director Md Humayn Kabir said 95,200 people from the broad spectrum of society will be imparted sound awareness training under the integrated and participatory project on noise pollution control.

There will also be a series of programs on television channels and radio, various electronic and print media, mobile phones and social media to broadcast TVC, text messages and notifications, he said.

Furthermore, 128 billboards and 60 signboards, 700,000 leaflets, 700,000 stickers, 1,000 folders, and 1,000 training manuals will be printed and distributed to raise awareness. Approximately 2,000 mobile courts and joint operations will be carried out across the country in this regard, Kabir said.

A round-the-clock online monitoring of noise levels and roadside displays will be set up in certain areas on an experimental basis, he added.