Noise Pollution

In March 2011, MoEF set up real time monitoring centres in seven Indian cities
o The results indicate that the ambient noise in residential and commercial areas is far
in excess not just of a healthy level but the standards set by law as well.
Effects include
o Loss of hearing sensitivity in specific frequencies
o Non auditory effects like hypertension, heart rate disorders, and psychological stress
Problem areas
o Lack of reliable data
o <the sensors installed in seven cities is a step forward>
What to do?
o The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 should be appropriately
amended and enforced
o According in the rules, any person can make a complaint to the designated
authority, such as the police, if the ambient noise exceeds the prescribed standard
by 10 dB or more.
o The data generated by the sensors should be in the public domain on the internet, fi
the system is to serve any meaningful purpose