Category: Noise Pollution

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Noise Disturbance Noise Pollution
noise_pollution_awareness_campaign_rally
noise_pollution_awareness_campaign_rally
Bangladesh Department of Environment Launches Major Noise Pollution Control Campaign in Dhaka

Bangladesh Department of Environment Launches Major Noise Pollution Control Campaign in Dhaka

Date: January 5, 2026 | Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh | Organization: Department of Environment (DoE)

Noise pollution awareness campaign rally with volunteers holding anti-noise signs in urban Dhaka setting
Public awareness rally against noise pollution featuring volunteers and environmental activists

Key Highlights

  • 10-day integrated noise pollution control campaign across Dhaka
  • Mobile courts and public awareness activities at 10 key locations
  • New Noise Pollution Control Regulations 2025 enforcement
  • Traffic police granted on-the-spot fining authority
  • 150+ student volunteers participating in awareness drives

Campaign Overview

The Department of Environment (DoE) of Bangladesh has launched an ambitious “Integrated and Participatory Project for Noise Pollution Control” targeting the growing problem of urban noise pollution in Dhaka. The campaign, inaugurated on January 5, 2026, will conduct mobile courts and public awareness activities at 10 strategic locations across the capital city over 10 working days.

Official Inauguration

The campaign was formally inaugurated at 11:00 AM in front of the National Press Club by Ms. Mohsina Akter Banu, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. In her address, she emphasized that public awareness is essential for controlling noise pollution and called upon citizens to actively participate in addressing this growing environmental concern.

“Noise pollution has reached an alarming level in recent years,” Ms. Banu stated, adding that the government, through the Department of Environment, is making comprehensive efforts to curb it.

Campaign Activities

Following a human chain demonstration in front of the Press Club, a colorful awareness rally marched from the Press Club to the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University. The rally featured:

  • A decorated pickup van with awareness messages
  • Placards and festoons with anti-noise slogans
  • An eye-catching squirrel-shaped mascot
  • 150+ student volunteers from colleges and universities

Target Locations

The campaign will conduct activities at major locations across Dhaka:

  • Azimpur
  • New Market
  • Agargaon
  • Planning Commission Intersection
  • Bangladesh Secretariat
  • Government Employees’ Hospital Intersection
  • Gulshan-2 Circle
  • TSC (Teacher-Student Centre)

New Regulatory Powers

Under the newly enacted Noise Pollution (Control) Regulations, 2025, traffic sergeants have been granted on-the-spot fining authority for vehicles exceeding permissible noise limits. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic Division actively joined the campaign and immediately began imposing fines on violating vehicles.

Public Engagement

Participants held placards displaying slogans such as:

  • “No Horn”
  • “Unnecessary Horns Damage Hearing”
  • “Noise Pollution Causes Multiple Health Risks”
  • “Let’s Stop Unnecessary Honking”

Collaborative Effort

The campaign is organized in collaboration between the DoE, Dhaka Metropolitan Police traffic divisions, and Green Voice, an environmental advocacy organization. Alamgir Kabir, Chief Coordinator of Green Voice, called upon all citizens to take collective action for a noise-free environment.

About Noise Pollution in Urban Areas

Noise pollution is a growing environmental concern in rapidly developing urban centers across South Asia. Excessive noise from traffic, construction, and industrial activities can lead to hearing loss, cardiovascular problems, sleep disturbances, and increased stress levels. Professional noise monitoring equipment, such as Class 1 sound level meters compliant with IEC 61672 standards, plays a vital role in regulatory enforcement.

Categories
Environment Noise Disturbance Noise Pollution

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

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

References

www.malaymail.com

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.

References

www.bangkokpost.com

Categories
Noise Disturbance Noise Pollution

South Pattaya police crack down on rowdy Middle Eastern bikers

Pattaya police have taken decisive action, setting up checkpoints at the beginning, middle, and end of Soi Yensabai, South Pattaya, in response to numerous complaints from locals about disturbances caused by Middle Eastern tourists riding motorcycles, honking horns, and revving engines. They checked documents for both vehicles and individuals, focusing especially on Middle Eastern troublemakers.

 

The police also conducted checks on Thai drivers in the vicinity, concentrating on illicit activity. In order to prevent causing disruptions, authorities also reminded owners of rental businesses to advise visitors about required paperwork and safe driving techniques. For minor infractions, there were warnings and outreach programs regarding safe road usage to keep locals and visitors from becoming more upset.

References

https://www.pattayamail.com

Categories
Noise Disturbance Noise Pollution

The excessive noise pollution in Dhaka

The excessive noise pollution in Dhaka
The excessive noise pollution in Dhaka

The alarmingly high levels of noise pollution in Dhaka city are negatively affecting the daily lives of those who live there. The capital’s normalcy is being disrupted by rising traffic, needless honking, excessive use of loudspeakers, and other high-decibel noise sources. There is a noticeable deficiency in the efficient enforcement of current laws.

The excessive noise is posing serious health risks to residents of Dhaka. Hearing loss affects many people, with college and university students being the most affected. Patients, the elderly, and children are especially at risk, and traffic cops are unable to avoid the noise assault.

The general public’s lack of awareness regarding the dangers of noise pollution is something experts point out. The Environmental Science Department at Stamford University’s Prof. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder noted, “Loudspeakers, construction noise, and needless honking are making everyday life intolerable.” This problem affects not only physical health but also mental health, crop yields, and even the reproduction of urban plants.”

Prof. Majumder continued, saying that just limiting the use of horns excessively could cut Dhaka’s noise pollution by 60%. But in this sense, ineffective law enforcement impedes development. “We have laws, but they are hardly ever put into practice. For example, there should be quiet zones around mosques, schools, and hospitals according to the Noise Pollution Control Rules of 2006, but these are rarely enforced.”

Concerns regarding noise pollution’s long-term effects are being voiced by health professionals. The Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Prof. Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, gave an explanation: “Dhaka has noise levels that are more than twice as high as acceptable, which can cause major problems for both physical and mental health. In addition to hearing loss, diabetes and heart problems are on the rise. Older people, children, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. While continuous exposure to 85 decibels for two hours a day can gradually deteriorate hearing, noise levels as high as 120 decibels can cause immediate hearing damage.”

Experts stress the importance of long-term planning and more stringent application of current legislation. “Nations with sophisticated noise abatement policies penalize individuals who use their horns excessively. Here, we also require strong enforcement,” Prof. Majumder urged. In addition, he demanded that noise control measures, such as refraining from wearing headphones needlessly, be adhered to and that public awareness be raised.

From April 2021 to March 2022, the Stamford University Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) examined noise levels at ten different locations in Dhaka. The study found that in every area surveyed, noise levels were higher than acceptable. In particular, noise levels were higher than the standard thresholds 96.7% of the time in quiet zones, 91.2% in residential areas, 83.2% in mixed-use areas, 61% in commercial areas, and 18.2% in industrial areas.

The results of CAPS demonstrate how widespread noise pollution is in Dhaka, with 82% of all monitored locations regularly recording noise levels above 60 dB. Enforcement of the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006, which establish acceptable noise levels for residential areas at 45 decibels at night and 55 during the day, and for commercial areas at 60 decibels at night and 70 during the day, is still quite difficult.

Action must be taken quickly and thoroughly in response to the Dhaka situation. Mitigating the city’s noise pollution crisis requires strengthening legal frameworks, raising public awareness, and enforcing noise control measures. Residents of Dhaka will continue to suffer from the constant assault of noise pollution unless immediate action is taken to improve their health and general well-being.

References

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

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