NIST e-NEWS(Vol 80, April 15, 2012)

NOISE POLLUTION:
Will it remain an integral part of Berhampur forever?
Mr. Gaurav Rath - MBA, 1 st Sem
Berhampur has always been a victim of noise pollution. This is due to the heavy use of
loudspeakers at various temples, marriage processions, domestic functions and political
events. This happens because the city administration and the police turn a deaf ear. If one approaches
the police, the first reaction they give is as if you are an alien. They seem to be oblivious to the
term/concept of noise pollution. They try to give various reasons like: they cannot prevent or play
with the sentiments of the people. This gives the public a perception that using loudspeakers is their
birth right and they carry on with their crime of using them at any place and any level, irrespective of
how it affects others.
The reason behind the problem is the lack of awareness among the people. They are not aware of
the various laws that prohibit the use of loudspeakers. The city administration is equally responsible
for this lawlessness. They have never initiated any steps to counsel the temple administrations
against use of loudspeakers. Although the police have the necessary powers and equipment to
monitor noise pollution levels they hardly try to give it a thought. Whenever the public approaches
them, they try to pass the buck by saying that the permission is granted by the Sub-Collector etc.
This inaction on the part of police and city administration gives a boost to the spread of this evil.
Some or the other temple always has some function and the first thing they do is: put up two huge
loudspeakers and conduct their proceedings. The other horrible practice in the city is that of marriage
processions. They use heavy loudspeakers and very loud crackers. During the marriage season the
whole city feels like a warzone. The law is clear:
· No permission can be granted by any authority for use of public address
system in the open after 10.00 PM and before 6.00 AM. No exception is
possible. Any person or organization making noise on amplified system after
10.00 pm is violation of the law and the person can be prosecuted under the
provisions of the EPA 1986. Only District Magistrates can grant permissions
after 10.00 PM for functions within closed premises. District Magistrates
cannot grant permission for use of any amplified public address system after
10.00 PM.
· After permission has been procured the sound must fall within the sound
limits prescribed in the Noise Rules. This can be measured on a sound meter.
Any person violating the Rules is liable to be arrested under the stringent
provisions of the EPA.
This gross violation of law is almost a daily affair in the city. To be specific let me give the example:
The Mahashivratri
on 20/2/2012.
This is believed to be a very sacred and holy festival as per Hindu tradition but the way it was
conducted all around the city squeezed all the holiness out of it and turned it into a sham. Although,
it was scheduled for 20 th February, most of the temples around the city started playing loudspeakers
two days prior to its commencement. They continued this all through the night. By conducting such
heavy crime in the name of God they violated the very basis on which every religion stands. No
religion ever preaches to achieve itss goals by harming innocent people. And all the so called religious
people who attended the functions at these temples also become a party to this crime. Their
culpability cannot be absolved by feigning ignorance about the law. Because of the way the
religion is preached in most of our cities, it loses all the sanctity that it is supposed to have.
The city police patrol teams like PCR Vans are just show pieces. Even when they pass the place
where a function is going on with use of loudspeakers they do not bother to get out of their vehicles
and see to it that the law is not violated. They do not seize the equipment nor do they take any legal
action against the offenders. All this only gives us an indication about the things to come ( a state of
anarchy). The major reason behind this is that people generally do not come out and report this
National Institute of Science & Technology, Berhampur, 761008 18 of 22