Despite the declaration of the area surrounding Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka as a “Silent Zone,” little has changed in reality. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, led by adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, announced the designation of the airport area and a 1.5-kilometer stretch from the airport (from Scholastica School to Hotel La Meridian) as a “Silent Zone” on October 1 as per the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006, with violations potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), the Department of Environment, the Road Department, and the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association are responsible for enforcing the regulations that took effect on October 1. However, field observations reveal a different reality. Field Observations Upon inspection, signage indicating the start of the “Silent Zone” was spotted at various locations, including in front of La Meridian Point in the south and on a steel pole along the footpath at Scholastica Point in Uttara. Yet, not a single vehicle was seen driving without honking. During visits on Thursday night and Friday daytime, no drivers appeared to adhere to the regulations. Many continued to honk unnecessarily, especially buses and motorcycles, producing excessive noise levels. Observers noted a lack of enforcement or monitoring in the area. 3 major political party leaders in Barishal rally against hydraulic horns, calls for action on noise pollution, safety hazards Local Concerns Residents, passengers, and business owners expressed frustration that the noise pollution situation has remained unchanged since the “Silent Zone” was implemented. “Drivers are honking for any reason and none,” a passenger noted. “Without law enforcement, this initiative cannot succeed.” Passengers waiting on the main road near the airport confirmed the pervasive sound of horns. “Everyone, including buses and motorcycles, is honking unnecessarily,” one passenger said. “I haven’t seen any fines being enforced by traffic police.” When questioned about the effectiveness of the silent zone, a security guard near the La Meridian Hotel admitted that honking has not decreased, and drivers continue to use their horns excessively. Drivers’ Perspectives Drivers defended their actions, claiming that honking is necessary for safety due to the chaotic traffic conditions in Dhaka. “People cross the road wherever they want, and without honking, accidents are more likely to happen,” Md Yusuf, a private car driver said. They expressed skepticism about whether driving without honking was feasible. “Do they think we can drive without horns in this city?” another driver, Sujon. When asked about the penalties for violating the horn ban, drivers were unsure of the specific fines. Previous Initiatives and Research Findings Previously, the Department of Environment announced 12 silent zones across Bangladesh, with five located in Dhaka, including the Secretariat, Agargaon, and the Parliament area. However, a recent study by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) revealed that no silent zones in the country were effectively enforced. The average noise level recorded in these areas was alarmingly high, with the Secretariat area averaging 79.5 decibels. Professor Ahmed Kamruzzaman, head of the Environmental Science Department at Stamford University and CAPS chairman, emphasized the need for greater awareness among drivers, vehicle owners, and the public. Relentless assault on hearing: Dhaka’s noise pollution out of control, say experts “If we can eliminate horns, we can reduce 60% of the noise pollution in Dhaka,” he said. He acknowledged the current legal framework for noise pollution is weak. Legal Framework According to the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006, residential areas should not exceed 45 decibels from 9 pm to 6 am and 55 decibels during the day. In commercial areas, these limits are set at 60 and 70 decibels, respectively. Areas surrounding schools, hospitals, and places of worship are designated as silent zones up to 100 meters, with specific noise level restrictions. Violations may result in up to one month of imprisonment or fines of up to Tk5,000 for first offenses, and for subsequent offenses, six months of imprisonment or fines of up to Tk10,000. Air Vice Marshal Md. Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), said the successful implementation of this initiative relies on public awareness and cooperation from drivers and vehicle owners. CAAB and the authorities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are actively working to combat noise pollution and ensure the success of the “Silent Zone” initiative, he said.  

The government is set to implement a gradual ban on vehicle honking across Dhaka city by December, with the goal of making the entire capital a “quiet zone” by early next year, according to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. This initiative is part of a larger effort to combat noise pollution, which will later expand to other major cities in Bangladesh. In an exclusive interview with UNB, Rizwana Hasan revealed that steps are already underway, starting with key areas of Dhaka. She emphasized that the government is prioritizing public awareness campaigns before enforcing penalties. The initiative aims to address the deep-rooted habit of honking in urban areas. Adviser Rizwana explained that the process would begin with a comprehensive public awareness campaign, followed by strict enforcement of laws against unnecessary honking. Starting in December, drivers caught honking without cause will face a 500 taka fine for the first violation, with increased penalties for repeat offenses. Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana urges for using alternatives to polythene shopping bags “Changing habits will take time, but with proper education and enforcement, we can significantly reduce honking,” she said. She stressed the importance of educating both drivers and the general public before fines are imposed, underscoring the need for a shift in public behavior regarding noise pollution. The adviser highlighted the growing concern over the health risks posed by constant noise pollution. “Unnecessary honking and loudspeakers are disrupting normal life and contributing to serious health issues,” she said, adding that noise pollution is linked to hearing loss, heart disease, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders. “Now is the time to address noise pollution alongside other forms of environmental degradation if we want to ensure sustainable socio-economic development,” Rizwana added. Rizwana Hasan also pointed out the cultural and religious significance of reducing noise. She referenced Islamic teachings that encourage speaking in lower tones to avoid causing discomfort to others. “True power lies in reasoned communication, not in volume,” she said, urging drivers to consider whether honking is necessary, particularly when traffic lights turn green. She called on both drivers and the public to pledge to stop unnecessary honking, adding that restrictions on honking would soon be part of vehicle license renewal requirements. “We need collective efforts to bring about real change,” she said. As part of this initiative, on October 1, the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and its surrounding three-km radius were declared a “quiet zone,” where honking is strictly prohibited. Violators in this area may face fines or even imprisonment. Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), confirmed that the quiet zone extends from Scholastica school to the Le Meridien Hotel. 3-km area of Dhaka airport ‘Silent Zone’ from today This follows a series of measures implemented at the airport to make the area noise-free. The official launch of this quiet zone was overseen by Rizwana Hasan on October 1, signaling the government’s commitment to addressing noise pollution in the city’s most sensitive areas. Moving forward, the government plans to introduce similar noise reduction initiatives in other major cities. Rizwana Hasan called on citizens to support the program, highlighting the importance of creating a culture that discourages excessive noise for the well-being of all. “If we can stop honking, especially in large vehicles like buses and trucks, we can prevent many serious health issues,” she said, noting that other sources of noise pollution, such as loudspeakers and construction work, must also be addressed. Noise pollution: The lethal soundtrack to life in Dhaka

Noise pollution levels in Dhaka city are reaching alarming heights, severely impacting the daily lives of its residents. Increasing traffic, unnecessary honking, rampant use of loudspeakers, and other sources of high-decibel noise are disrupting the capital’s normalcy. Despite existing laws, there is a notable lack of effective enforcement. Residents across Dhaka are facing significant health risks due to excessive noise. Many are experiencing hearing loss, with school and university students among the most affected. Children, the elderly, and patients are particularly vulnerable, with traffic police also unable to escape the noise onslaught. Experts highlight that public awareness about the dangers of noise pollution remains low. Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder of Stamford University’s Environmental Science Department pointed out, “Unnecessary honking, loudspeakers, and construction noise are making daily life unbearable. This issue is not just about physical health; it also affects mental well-being and even hampers urban plant reproduction and crop yields.” Prof Majumder added that controlling rampant horn usage alone could reduce Dhaka’s noise pollution by 60%. However, poor law enforcement in this regard hinder progress. “We have laws, but their implementation is almost non-existent. For instance, the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006 mandate quiet zones around schools, hospitals, and mosques, but these are rarely enforced.” Motorists to be trained to control noise pollution: Environment Minister Health professionals are raising alarms about the long-term impacts of noise pollution. Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Director General (DG), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), explained, “Noise levels in Dhaka are more than double the acceptable limits, leading to serious physical and mental health issues. Beyond hearing loss, there is an increase in diabetes and heart complications. Pregnant women, children, and the elderly are particularly at risk. Exposure to noise levels of 120 decibels can cause immediate hearing damage, while consistent exposure to 85 decibels for two hours daily can gradually deteriorate hearing.” Experts emphasize the need for long-term planning and stricter enforcement of existing laws. “Countries with advanced noise control measures impose fines for unnecessary horn usage. We need similar robust enforcement here,” Prof Majumder urged. He also called for increased public awareness and adherence to noise control measures, including avoiding unnecessary use of headphones. The Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) at Stamford University conducted a year-long study from April 2021 to March 2022, examining noise levels at ten locations in Dhaka. The research revealed that noise exceeded acceptable limits in all surveyed areas. Specifically, 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 noise levels surpassed the standard thresholds. Noise pollution awareness campaign: One-minute silence to be observed in Dhaka Oct 15 CAPS’s findings underscore the pervasive nature of noise pollution in Dhaka, with 82% of all monitored locations exceeding 60 decibels consistently. Despite the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006, which set permissible noise levels at 45 decibels at night and 55 during the day for residential areas, and 60 decibels at night and 70 during the day for commercial areas, enforcement remains a significant challenge. The situation in Dhaka demands immediate and comprehensive action. Strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing public awareness, and enforcing noise control measures are critical steps toward mitigating the city’s noise pollution crisis. Without decisive action, the health and well-being of Dhaka’s residents will continue to deteriorate under the relentless assault of noise pollution. Urban noise pollution, wildfires among biggest emerging environmental threats: UN

There are numerous factors that have turned Dhaka into one of the most unliveable cities in the world, but one that manages to fly under the radar despite growing to alarming levels in recent years is noise pollution.  Most residents are vocal about traffic, the lack of green spaces, the toxic air we breathe (itself a form of pollution), poor public transport, the lack of utilities in some areas. And the authorities too are sensitive on these matters at least to some extent. They are acknowledged, even if they are not fixed.  The same cannot be said of noise pollution, according to Sheikh Kanta Reza, a development worker. “Often I have to scold some motorcyclists or fight with another human hauler or private car driver for their habit of honking horns unnecessarily while waiting in traffic signals. The situation is worsening day by day,” says Kanta, who commutes from Jhigatola to Farmgate for work during the very busy office hours. Read: WASA key reason behind pollution of Dhaka’s rivers, NRCC chairman says Dhaka’s noise pollution is mainly caused by traffic horns, construction works, loudspeakers, political programmes, factory work and often generators. Together, they constitute a menace for which everyone suffers every minute of the day. Lack of awareness about the existing laws among common people, indifference on the part of authorities concerned and even the law enforcers' convenience have made causing noise pollution a negligible crime - even though its effects on human health can be severe. Use of hydraulic horns in motor vehicles in Bangladesh was banned by the High Court in 2017, as it can reach volumes of 120 decibels, and exposure to such levels for longer than 60 seconds can cause immediate injury and harm to hearing. In reality, the High Court’s directive to the government was forgotten with time and most of the vehicles on Dhaka roads are still using them, according to Abdus Sobahan, General Secretary of Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Save the Environment Movement, popularly known as Poba). Read: Effects of Air Pollution on Unborn Children, Neonates, Infants Often the drivers speed away using those hydraulic horns, startling pedestrians who often become victims of unfortunate road accidents as a result, he said. “Honking horns on roads has become an addiction for drivers of almost all vehicles in the city while some do it merely to exert their arrogance.  But it impacts public health and mental health of children, elderly people and patients,” he added. Tanjila Akter Lina, a private jobholder, said she hardly takes her two-year- old daughter out anymore.  “When I have to take her out with me anyway, I make sure to cover her ears with my hands as she gets too frightened,” she said.  Read: Climate Change: How Bangladesh is being affected by Global Warming? WHO guidelines and relevant laws in Bangladesh To prevent noise-induced hearing loss, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends maintaining noises below 70 dBA (adjusted decibels, a scale of measuring noise taking sensitivity of human ear to different sound frequencies into account) over 24-hours. According to section 45 (2) of the Road Transport Act, 2018, no motor vehicle driver should produce any noise exceeding the noise level prescribed under sub-section (1), which provides that the government or any institution or body entrusted by the government from time to time may fix the noise limit and make it public through gazette notification. According to the WHO, prolonged exposure to sounds above 60 decibels can cause temporary deafness and more than 100 decibels can cause permanent deafness. Meanwhile, in Dhaka a busy road usually produces 70 or 80 decibels of noise, said Poba general secretary Abdus Sobahan. Read: Light pollution threatens birds in cities Regulations and reality The government has divided five areas to fix the acceptable noise level according to the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006. However the fact that those areas were not built in a planned manner to be distinguished and the issue was totally ignored by the government. The rule says the acceptable sound level in the silent areas is 50 dB at daytime and 40dB at night, in residential areas its 55dB at day and 45dB at night, in the mixed areas 60dB at day and 50dB at night, in commercial areas 70dB at day and 60dB at night, and in the industrial areas 75dB for day and 70dB for night. The law says exceeding the maximum noise level in certain areas is a punishable offence but the laws are hardly ever enforced. The noise pollution law has a provision that in residential areas from 6pm to 6am, no noises exceeding an acceptable level can be made at construction sites or projects. And it also mentions stone crushing machines cannot be used at any time of the day or night in these areas. Yet contravening that provision, Dhaka Metropolitan Police in 2014 directed no freight trucks, covered vans, lorries, pickup vans except emergency exports goods carrying transports will be allowed to enter the capital from 8am to 10pm. Read: Urban noise pollution, wildfires among biggest emerging environmental threats: UN Though the directive gets violated on a regular basis, many have been using it as an excuse for conducting construction works in residential and all other areas through the night to meet project deadlines. Anamika (given name), a resident of Moghbazar area, recently called 999 to complain about construction work running beside her building from 12am to 5am, disrupting the sleep of local residents. “Though police came and asked them to stop the work, the Sub Inspector of Hatirjheel Police station who talked to me over phone at first tried to say that the late night construction work is legal. He said Rajuk has given them permission and what would they do as freight vehicles are not allowed to enter the city before night,” she said. The last study to identify the sound level in the eight divisional cities was conducted by The Department of Environment (DoE) in 2017 which revealed shocking data of noise levels exceeding the acceptable levels for human ears by at least two times in all of them. Read More: Noise pollution: Even the pandemic has failed to quiet Dhaka! The survey was conducted at 70 points of Dhaka city and the recorded sound level reached up to 120-130dB at many points. According to the study, the highest sound level was between 90-130 db in Dhaka’s 20 selected residential areas while it remained above 110-130 db in 20 selected mixed areas. These areas include prime areas like Shyamoli, Tajmahal Road, Azimpur, New Market area, Shahjahanpur, Nikunja, Dhanmondi, Farmgate intersection, Karwan Bazar, Gulshan, Gulistan, Eskaton, Moghbazar intersection,Shantinagar, Jatrabari. Among the 70 points, the lowest sound level was recorded at 100.8 at Road-18 of Uttara-14 while the highest noise level was recorded at Farmgate at 135.6 throughout the day and night time. Read More: Noise pollution: A threat to Kunjaban's winged visitors? According to the number of horns counted, mixed area Shyamoly was at top where 598 horns were counted in just 10 minutes and of them 158 were hydraulic horns back in 2017. Even the fact that the last study was done in 2017 goes to show how the problem is neglected. In the absence of any study since, one can only imagine to what levels it has grown by now. But you can be sure it has grown.   Additional Director General (Administration) of Health Department Ahmadul Kabir told UNB that deafness, heart disease, irritability, lack of concentration among students, lack of sleep and various inconsistencies have become common among the capital’s residents that can be traced to extreme noise pollution Noise pollution is also responsible for various problems of eyes and brain and due to continuous pollution, people can suffer from diabetes, gastric and even liver cirrhosis, he said. Read More: Decibel Hell: Noise pollution ‘affecting 50 lakh people’ in Dhaka Authorities’ excuses When UNB asked Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin about the non-enforcement of existing laws he cited lack of manpower as the main reason behind it. “It is hard to implement the laws to mitigate noise pollution due to lack of manpower in the Department of Environment (DoE),” he said. In December 2019, the surrounding areas of Bangladesh Secretariat i.e. Zero Point, Paltan Mor, Secretariat Link Road were declared a 'no horn zone’ but this was never implemented and the drivers did not stop honking. When the minister was asked about it he said that the mobile courts will be conducted again in the declared quiet areas.  Read More: How Can One Person Reduce Environmental Pollution? “Even earlier, drivers of many vehicles, including many government vehicles, were fined,” he said. But clearly to no avail. 

How can an individual take steps to prevent pollution? This question may seem simple, but it’s actually a big challenge that many people and nations around the world are trying to solve. According to the World Health Organization, pollution is a major cause of death worldwide. According to research, different kinds of pollution, such as air, water, soil, sound pollution, etc., are responsible for about 40% of the deaths around the world. And the World Health Organization (WHO) found out that household air pollution and ambient air pollution cause 7 million premature deaths annually worldwide. As the number of people living in cities increases, so does the amount of pollution. So, one should take proper steps to fight pollution. Why Is It Necessary to Fight against Pollution at Individual Level? When we think of pollution, we usually think of things that are released into the environment by large organisations or governments. However, some pollution is also caused by individuals. Pollution at the individual level can greatly impact the environment and public health.  Pollution at the individual level comes from a variety of sources such as vehicles, factories, and homes. Polluting activities can release harmful chemicals into the air, water, and soil. These pollutants can cause a wide range of problems, including acid rain, air pollution, and water contamination. So, it is necessary to stop pollution at the individual level to save the world. Read Mass Bathing in Buriganga Sunday demanding pollution-free river There are many ways people can fight against pollution from an individual level. We can use our voices to speak out against polluting companies, we can reduce pollution levels individually, we can work to create policies that reduce pollution, or we can use our money to support organisations that work to protect the environment. Ways One Person Reduce Air, Water, and Sound Pollution Pollution has been a huge issue for decades and is still going strong. Whether it be in the form of chemical warfare, nuclear fallout, toxic waste runoff, or acid rain, the list of harmful pollutants goes on and on. While some causes are unavoidable (natural disasters like volcanoes and hurricanes), there are many things we can do to help lower the amount of pollution that comes from individual sources, such as our homes. Read Solution to pollution: Sprinkling water on Dhaka's roads & construction sites?

Noise pollution in Dhaka city is now three times higher than the tolerable level, and the invisible danger is putting around 50 lakh people at health risk, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Mohammad Shahab Uddin said on Wednesday. Noise pollution, considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being, has become an increasingly big issue in cities like Dhaka. People are often becoming the source of indoor and outdoor noise pollution without being aware of it, the minister said.  Also read: Noise pollution: Even the pandemic has failed to quiet Dhaka! The minister was speaking at a virtual workshop organised by the Department of Environment on the occasion of International Noise Awareness Day 2021. From traffic noise to loud or inescapable sounds from construction sites and social and political programmes, sound pollution is impacting millions of people daily. The most common health problem causes irreversible noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), according to experts.

Over the past decade, the hamlet of Kunjaban in Naogaon's Mahadebpur upazila has emerged as a popular winter holiday destination for bird watchers in Bangladesh.

 

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