Renowned rhymer Sukumar Barua aptly captures urban noise with the magical lines: “The city crows shout in flocks / It is difficult to sleep with the honking of horns”.
In contrast to the soothing sounds of nature in rural areas—cows, ducks, and birds—urban life is dominated by mechanical noises like vehicle horns and civil disturbances, which disrupt inner peace.
Recently, the interim government declared the airport area a horn-free zone. They’ve raised awareness with banners, billboards, leaflets, and mobile courts for law violators. Noise pollution in Bangladesh, particularly in cities like Dhaka, has been on the rise, often exceeding acceptable limits.
The main causes include the increase in vehicles, unplanned urbanization, and excessive mechanization. Unnecessary honking, construction work, and loud social events further aggravate the problem, disturbing daily life and disrupting environmental balance.
City streets are the worst affected by noise pollution, driven by traffic congestion, an increasing number of vehicles, and poorly planned traffic systems. Drivers often honk unnecessarily, even in light traffic or while waiting at signals, causing extreme discomfort.
While honking may sometimes be unavoidable, proper training and awareness could greatly reduce this issue.
Noise pollution is especially harmful around schools, hospitals, and residential areas, where it disrupts children's focus, disturbs patients, and increases stress levels. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause hearing loss and lead to serious mental and physical health issues, particularly in children and the elderly.
Construction activities and large machinery in urban development projects, as well as the use of microphones and loudspeakers at social events, also contribute significantly to the problem.
The effects of noise pollution are widespread. It can lead to hearing loss, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, and increased anxiety. In the long term, it can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental health disorders. Not only does it impact human health, but it also disrupts the natural habitats of animals.
The government's recent efforts to address noise pollution are commendable, and if successful, these measures could help foster a healthier and more peaceful environment for everyone.
