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Environment Noise Disturbance

There are ways to both preserve wildlife in the Everest region and not to disrupt high-end tourism

One of Nepal’s main tourist destinations, the Everest region, welcomes thousands of trekkers, mountaineers, and upscale (luxury) travelers each year. As popular as trekking and mountain climbing, helicopter sightseeing offers visitors who are prepared to shell out a lot of money to get a close-up look at the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. The nation’s economy as a whole, local companies, hotels, and airlines all gain a great deal from these sightseeing excursions. However, the Sagarmatha National Park has made the decision to outright prohibit helicopter sightseeing tours in the area as of January 1, 2025. Stakeholders are engaged in a heated discussion as a result.

There is a darker side to this ostensibly profitable tourism practice. Although they help with tourism in the national park and its environs, helicopters are bad for the wild animals that live in the comparatively untouched parts of the park. During the busiest travel seasons, spring and fall, there are more than 6,000 helicopter flights in the Everest region, according to official data. These flights disturb the feeding and breeding habits of the wildlife and contribute to excessive noise pollution. The Himalayan Goral and Tahr are especially vulnerable to low-flying helicopters. The sudden, loud noises of the choppers are causing some animals to jump off the cliffs and die, according to park sources. Others are escaping their native areas and wandering into neighboring villages, where they cause problems for the local population.

Therefore, it makes sense that the park is concerned about wildlife. The rarest animals in the world, such as red pandas and snow leopards, can be found there. It is impossible to ignore the importance of protecting these creatures since it supports wildlife tourism and preserves biodiversity. Park officials claim that they took this action for additional reasons, such as the accidental landing of the helicopters and their suspicion that wildlife contraband was being transported. However, given that it will impact tourism in the area, the sudden and capricious way the ban was implemented is worrisome. The ban, which was imposed without consultation or consideration of other options, has drawn criticism from tour operators, helicopter companies, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the nation’s civil aviation regulator. Additionally, the CAAN has made it clear that the park lacks the legal authority to impose such a ban.

Nepal’s tourism industry is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Union’s extension of its ban on Nepali airlines has made matters worse. Business owners who have made tourism-related investments continue to lose a lot of money. High-end tourism offerings, such as helicopter sightseeing, could save the struggling industry at this point. Therefore, instead of placing blame on one another, the park and civil aviation authorities ought to look for areas of agreement and choose a more impartial strategy.

Establishing designated flight corridors away from conservation areas or sensitive wildlife habitats may be a workable way to reduce noise pollution, as experts have recommended. Monitoring efforts in the area should be stepped up, and the aviation watchdog should hold the operators responsible if the national park authority’s worries about illegal trafficking and unplanned landings are sincere. Our economy depends heavily on both wildlife and tourism, so a delicate balance between the two must be maintained. We think that they can coexist if a little more consideration is given.

Categories
Environment Noise Disturbance Noise Pollution

Religious authorities will examine complaints about loudspeaker noise at the mosque in KL

Dec. 8, Kuala Nerus — A mosque in the capital city has been accused of using loudspeakers at excessive volumes during religious lectures, allegedly disturbing the peace in the area. The complaints will be examined by the relevant religious authorities.

Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, the deputy minister in the prime minister’s department of religious affairs, said he was confident that the authorities could manage the situation and promised the ministry’s assistance if necessary.

“A suitable framework is in place, and the religious authorities have jurisdiction over this issue. We will deal with any problems as they come up,” he stated.

Anything that disturbs the peace is not what we want. Insha’Allah, we’ll manage this sensibly and make sure the community doesn’t experience any discomfort. He declared during the Madani Prihatin program, which included a group cleanup of Sekolah Rendah Islam Al-Amin today, that “investigations and reviews will be conducted.”

Zulkifli was reacting to a widely shared social media complaint regarding a Kuala Lumpur mosque that was allegedly making the locals uncomfortable by using loud speakers during religious lectures.

In order to preserve peace in the community, he also counseled all religious organizations to be aware of local sensitivities, including the effect of their operations.

Additionally, he emphasized that 14 religious affairs organizations, including the Skuad Musa’adah Al-Falah Madani, and about 10,000 registered volunteers from the Islamic Dakwah Foundation Malaysia (YADIM) have been mobilized to provide post-flood relief efforts across the country. — Bernama

Categories
Environment Noise Disturbance Noise Pollution

Airports of Thailand (AoT) intends to compensate locals affected by noise pollution with 12 billion baht

Residents affected by noise pollution from Suvarnabhumi Airport’s third and newest runway will receive 12 billion baht in compensation from Airports of Thailand (AoT).

In response to residents’ inquiries regarding the compensation they sought for the noise caused by aircraft using the recently opened runway at the nation’s main airport, a number of agencies, including the AoT, the Transport Ministry, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, discussed the matter on Monday.

A decision was made regarding the most reasonable rate in accordance with the law, according to Kittiphon Ruayfuphan, deputy spokesman for the Transport Ministry.

Residents who are impacted by noise belong to various categories. Residents whose land ownership is problematic, those who are legally entitled to compensation, and those who are technically ineligible for any kind of financial assistance are all included.

According to Mr. Kittiphon, residents who meet the payout requirements will get their money when the rate is decided.


Assistance will be provided to those with troublesome land ownership in order to get their paperwork in order and be eligible to get their compensation.


According to Mr. Kittiphon, those who reside near the third runway but do not own the residential property they occupy may be eligible for compensation once the Pollution Control Department performs an assessment and verifies that they are indeed impacted by the noise pollution.

According to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) council chairman Surajit Phongsingwitthaya, locals complained to the BMA about the noise problem.

The BMA requested updates from the Transport Ministry and the AoT regarding the problem’s resolution after the complaints were filed.

For residents who haven’t applied for compensation yet, the BMA is serving as a middleman to provide information on how to do so.

Mr. Surajit stated that the authorities were reviewing the petitions more quickly, even though they need to be thoroughly screened for fairness.

The council chairman anticipates that residents will be able to access the first round of compensation early in the following year.

On the western side of Suvarnabhumi Airport, the third runway was constructed parallel to the first runway and measures four kilometers in length and sixty meters in width. It can now handle 94 planes per hour, up from the previous 68, and will mostly be used for planes landing at the airport.

Categories
Environment Home Noise-th

Dust and noise disturbance from a luxurious condo in Pattaya

The construction of a luxurious condominium in the Taphra Ya 9-15 area of Pattaya, which will rise more than 60 stories, has alarmed locals and rental operators.

Residents have been inconvenienced by the dust and noise from the construction site for more than two years, but local authorities have not offered any support.

52-year-old Taphra Ya 9 business owner Chalida voiced her annoyance, saying the construction has resulted in constant noise and dust problems. She said that because of the intolerable noise levels, which can occasionally last until midnight, many residents are slowly leaving.

Chalida gave reporters video footage showing the detrimental effects of the noise and dust from the construction site, as well as her unsuccessful attempts to lodge complaints with the Pattaya City Council and other authorities.

 

Those living on the seventh floor, which has been completely evacuated because of the noise and dust from the cement pouring on the nearby streets, are in an especially bad situation.

 

The extent of the issue was demonstrated by the thick dust layers that reporters saw on windows and floors, as well as the cracks in the surrounding buildings.

Additionally, the widespread dust has caused respiratory problems for housekeepers and employees, requiring the constant use of face masks. No agency has intervened to address these health issues in spite of their difficulties.

 

Chonburi MP Yodchai Phungporn recently paid a visit to the location to hear the complaints of locals and business owners.

 

According to Siam Rath, he intends to bring their grievances about the dust and noise to the Land and Environment Committee of the House of Representatives for additional action.

Categories
Asia Noise News Environment Home Noise Disturbance

Residents of Sengkang lament the “exceptionally” loud aircraft noise in the neighborhood.

Imagine being unable to focus while working from home because of the continuous, loud whooshes of airplanes passing overhead.

Alson, a Sengkang resident, shared his issues with noise on Xiao Hong Shu.

“This part of Sengkang is too noisy,” he wrote. I’m not sure if anyone can relate. I work from home and recently moved here. I counted five or six planes flying overhead in a half hour. They were most likely jets based on the unusually loud noise.

One of the nearby apartments is also undergoing renovations, which exacerbates the situation. His living conditions are almost intolerable due to the noise from the jets and the chaos from the renovations.

“I won’t have to go to any more online meetings if the plane noises continue. Does the same noise occur in other neighborhoods as well? Andn was added.

Because netizens from Punggol, Potong Pasir, Buangkok, and Hougang have chimed in to share similar experiences, it appears that Alson’s experience is not unique to him.

“I live in Punggol, and it’s just as noisy here,” one internet user complained. Every time I hear the noise, my cat is startled awake. The noise level at Greenwich Drive, where I work, is extremely high. There are times when you can even feel the building trembling a little. It’s a waste of time that we frequently have to halt our meetings for a short while [because of the loud noise].

Alson may not be able to see the jets from his place, but he can definitely hear them
Alson may not be able to see the jets from his place, but he can definitely hear them

Some residents claimed that they had “already gotten used to the noise” despite the numerous complaints from unhappy residents.

One netizen wrote, “No choice, you can either live with it or move away,” while another recommended that impacted residents consider “soundproofing their houses.”

But who’s going to foot the bill?

The affected areas appear to be close to the Paya Lebar Air Base, and it is likely that the sounds were produced by Air Force jets during training.

Additionally, some stated that they “don’t mind the noise at all” because it serves as a reminder of the Singapore Air Force’s tireless efforts to maintain national security.

In an interview with 8days.sg, a resident of Punggol’s Northshore estate confirmed that she frequently hears “super noisy planes.”

The Paya Lebar Airbase will be “relocated nearer to the coast from 2030 onwards, reducing the number of RSAF planes flying overhead Punggol residents,” claimed Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Yeo Wan Ling in a 2023 statement.
That’s still six years off, though.

Maybe you should look into other options first if you have your sights set on a home in any of the neighborhoods listed above.

Categories
Environment

Khao Yai National Park is strict about cars making loud noises

Thailand’s NAKHON RATCHASIMA – In reaction to infractions by tourists, Khao Yai National Park has tightened restrictions on vehicle speed and noise levels. Checkpoints have been erected to keep an eye on cars, primarily those whose engine and exhaust noise levels are higher than allowed.

At least 22 people have been taken into custody by the authorities thus far; these include 17 drivers who were found to be speeding over the 60 km/h limit and five motorcycle riders whose noise levels exceeded the 95 decibel limit. The National Park Act and its implementing regulations have resulted in fines for those found in violation.

Officials from the park have warned visitors that these regulations will be strictly adhered to. Riders on motorcycles are asked to make sure their cars aren’t tuned to make too much noise, and everyone driving through the park is asked to keep to the posted speed limits.

For the sake of both visitor safety and the preservation of the park’s wildlife, it is imperative that these rules be strictly adhered to. (NNT)

Categories
Environment Noise Disturbance

Prolonged Noise at Work Increases Blood Pressure

For some vocations, exposure to smoke is known to pose an occupational risk, especially in terms of hearing loss, physical and psychological stress, and diminished attention. According to a recent study that was presented at the ACC Asia 2024 conference, adult power loom weavers who were exposed to chronic noise had higher blood pressure overall and a 10% increased risk of high blood pressure for every year they were exposed.

According to Golam Dastageer Prince, MBBS, MPH, medical officer at DGHS Bangladesh and the study’s lead author, “the stress response by the body to chronic sound exposure causes hormonal imbalances that gradually leads to a permanent elevation of blood pressure, though the mechanism is still not well-explored.” “Almost one in five people in the globe have high blood pressure under control, despite the fact that it affects over a billion people globally and is a major cause of premature mortality. If we wish to lower the cardiovascular risk of these patients, we must discover strategies to decrease the noise exposure in addition to treating the high blood pressure with the proper measures.”

From January to December 2023, 289 adult workers in a few chosen weaving facilities in the Araihazar sub-district of Narayanganj, Bangladesh, were examined by researchers from the Directorate of General Health Services in Bangladesh. During a face-to-face interview, participants answered questions about behavior, nutritional preferences, family medical history, and sociodemographic characteristics. The researchers used normal protocols to monitor blood pressure, height, weight, and noise intensity.

The study sample consisted primarily of married men who were, on average, 34 years old. The researchers found that a sizable section of the group lacked literacy. The average length of time spent at work was close to 16 years, and the noise level varied from 96 to 111 dB. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the United States has determined that an eight-hour workday should not exceed the recommended exposure limits for occupational noise exposures of 85 dB on average. In general, sounds that are 70 dB or lower are regarded as safe.

Prince claims that no ear protection or personal protective equipment was discovered to be worn by any of the study participants.

“Hopefully we can raise awareness of not only noise-induced hearing loss, but the impact of noise on blood pressure and workers’ behaviors and attitudes towards using personal protective equipment,” Prince stated. “Pushing for structural improvements to industries may also help us improve the health safety of these workers.”

53.3% of the study population was prehypertensive, and 31.5% of them had high blood pressure. Additionally, the length of noise exposure and blood pressure were found to positively correlate in the study. The odds of having high blood pressure were shown to rise by 10% for every year of exposure, even after controlling for age, body mass index, and smoking status.


“As the study focused on workers exposed to more than 85 decibels noise for long periods of time, any profession causing workers to experience similar exposure might experience similar blood pressure impacts,” Prince stated. “We definitely need more exploratory studies to reveal more information about the potential mechanisms and long-term health outcomes.”

Living close to sources of noise pollution such as trains, automobiles, and aircraft has been linked to negative effects on cardiovascular health, according to recent research. Nevertheless, the noise encountered in daily life might not be covered by the current study. According to Prince, noise pollution at home usually ebbs and flows, whereas industrial exposures in the study usually follow a continuous pattern because of the machinery and maintain a steady sound level.

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Categories
Building Accoustics Environment Home Noise Technology

Use technology to mitigate disruptive noise

Singapore, a city-state renowned for its densely populated residential high-rises, consistently struggles with noise pollution.

Noise complaints increased dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic; in 2021, the Housing Board received as many as 3,200 complaints per month, which was a marked increase over pre-pandemic levels.

The government has urged locals to address noise complaints with their neighbors directly or with the assistance of community leaders. If that doesn’t work, there is always mediation and, as a last resort, legal action. But given the volume of complaints, we ought to reconsider how we handle noise-related problems.

More forceful responses to severe noise-related conflicts include the creation of a specialized enforcement unit with the authority to look into complaints, the installation of noise sensors with permission, and the issuance of abatement orders. Although these are positive steps, given the number of cases and the current manpower shortage, will these initiatives be sufficient?

A comprehensive approach that makes use of technology ought to include defining precise noise guidelines, enforcing them, and requiring soundproofing in all upcoming building projects.

Furthermore, it might be worthwhile to think about creating simple-to-install “self-help” Internet of Things-enabled noise sensor kits for ongoing monitoring to assist impacted citizens.

People who are easily startled by loud noises may be more willing to pay the price.

Furthermore, giving residents more authority communicates to the neighborhood that proactive noise control measures are expected.

These developments could lead to a significant decrease in the need for court cases and mediation, improve community harmony, and establish Singapore as a world leader in intelligent, sustainable urban planning.

Categories
Asia Noise News Environment Home

Drilling holes in the wall, tapping the floor, or pulling furniture at night for ten years

SINGAPORE: A resident has had enough of her noisy upstairs neighbor of ten years and has taken to social media to seek guidance from other Singaporeans.

The internet user stated on Monday, February 26, that for ten years, “literally every single day, either they are drilling the wall for more than thirty minutes (don’t know drill what also) or knocking the floor with a walking stick and dragging furniture at night.”

Although it’s manageable, there are moments when it becomes unbearably loud.

I went upstairs one night to confront them, and when they didn’t answer the door, they kept knocking on the floor with what sounded like an old-fashioned metal hollow walking stick. That’s how I knew it was a walking stick.

Every time it gets really loud at night, I also call the police, but the noises only stop for a few days before they start knocking and dragging again.

After knocking and getting no response, I’m at a loss for what further action to take. Because my estate is close to IMH, the only conclusion I can think of is that the person may be a patient there.

I’m not sure what I should or can do with that knowledge. Is there anyone who can offer advice on what to do? Asking, “Legal or not-so-legal ideas accepted,” the writer continued.


Remarkably, the post inspired a few more people to share their own tales of “nuisance neighbors.” Numerous people related their personal experiences of coping with neighbors of this type.

Some agreed that a confrontation was necessary, while others went so far as to involve the authorities by calling them. Some countered that these actions didn’t offer long-term fixes.

One resident who had experienced noisy neighbors firsthand wrote, “I feel you.”

“My neighbors next door have noisy kids upstairs as well as persistent floor knocking.” It is possible that they have a platform in their room because every time they run, jump, or walk on it, a hollow sound is heard.

Not something I could handle once at midnight. went up and reprimanded them angrily. The 15-year-old boy denied knocking; when his mother arrived at the door, I reprimanded her as well.

Since then, there has been some but not much less noise. I had previously provided HDB with feedback, but it was also ineffective.

Another said, “We left notes for this specific household.”

“I spoke with them directly and gave them my contact information to let them know when it became too loud.” It was effective for a while, but then it got worse.To cut a long tale short, we made several calls to HDB, the town council, and the police.

When we got our neighbors together, we noticed that they were all growing irritated and they also reported this family. Then we repeated the process, reiterating our earlier reports (i.e., telling HDB that everyone had called the police several times and that this was the last straw).

The next day, I got a call from HDB, who sounded like an intern reading from a script and didn’t know how to assist. However, we never had any problems (with) this family again after that day.

Categories
Asia Noise News Environment

How the construction industry is becoming quieter thanks to a Hong Kong start-up’s use of recycled plastic

  • Acoustic Metamaterials Group produces noise-cancelling barriers for the construction industry using recycled plastic.
  • The Green Tech Fund of the Hong Kong government provided US$435,000 to the startup’s founder so they could test technology for producing more noise-efficient products.

The goal of the smart materials and acoustics company Acoustic Metamaterials Group (AMG), situated in Hong Kong, is to increase the utilization of recycled plastic in the construction sector in order to assist in reducing noise pollution and the industry’s carbon footprint.

Chen Shuyu, the founder and director of the start-up, claims that their manufacturing technology can recycle plastic waste to create noise-control products that have an acoustic performance that is on par with or better than that of conventional materials like rockwool, fiberglass, and foam.
“Recycled plastic could replace nearly all types of materials used for acoustic purposes in buildings and in noise-cancelling barriers,” stated Chen. Chen is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion on construction at the GreenTech Summit on Monday, which is a part of the government-organized Hong Kong Green Week.

By altering the structure of solid surfaces like plastic, metamaterials can achieve sound absorption comparable to or even greater than that of conventional acoustic materials without the need for additional components, according to AMG’s product catalogue.

Chen added that this lowers the overall manufacturing cost. The recycled plastic is gathered from factories in mainland China where AMG’s products are made.

AMG was established in 2014 in Hong Kong, and the company claims that its products are used commercially in a variety of industries, such as consumer electronics, automobiles, hi-fi and smart wearables, construction, electrical and mechanical systems, and home appliances.

The government’s Green Tech Fund awarded HK$3.4 million (US$435,000) to Chen’s research and development platform Lumi method in 2022 so that it could test its manufacturing method for further high-efficiency, noise-absorbing materials made from recycled plastic.

The Green Tech Fund was established in 2020 with HK$400 million from the Hong Kong government to fund research and development projects that advance the city’s decarbonization efforts and enhance environmental advantages.

AMG can produce 200,000 square meters of metamaterials annually, part of which are derived from recycled plastic.

Developers in Hong Kong have been using AMG’s road and noise barriers at development sites since 2020. Additionally, China, Japan, the EU, and the UK are recipients of AMG’s exports.

According to Chen, the company wants to use more recycled plastic in the production of noise-cancelling goods for use in road barriers and construction.

He declared, “We are the leaders in [promoting] this concept.”

References

www.scmp.com

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