NOISE POLLUTION IN DHAKA: CURRENT SITUATION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTION

Amit Ranjan Dey
Nazneen Kabir
Debra Efroymson

Work for a Better Bangladesh

House #49, Road #4/A
Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209 tel. 966-9781 fax (8802) 862-9271 wbb@pradeshta.net http://wbb.globalink.org

Report Highlights

□ 97% of students reported that their studying is disrupted by horns. □ 86% of the general population consider noise pollution a big problem; only 1% said it is not a problem. □ Among the general population, 78% experience aggravation, 71% experience headaches, 49% bad temper, 43% difficulty concentration and trouble sleeping, and 33% experience hearing problems from noise pollution. □ 45% of drivers say they honk in traffic jams. □ The general public strongly support actions to reduce noise pollution, with the vast majority supporting improved traffic control, banning industrial activity and brick breaking machines in urban areas, placing limits on the decibels allowed in different areas, and banning miking for processions, advertising, and election campaigns.

METHODOLOGY

Survey

During the months of May and June 2002, Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) surveyed a total of 2,500 people—500 drivers, 1,000 students, and 1,000 members of the general public—to understand their opinions about noise pollution, the problems they experience, and what they feel should be done.

Focus group

In order to gain better understanding of people’s feelings about noise pollution, WBB held two focus group discussions in May and June 2002. One was a mixed group of office workers, students, and drivers; the second was of bus drivers.

Accepted noise limits (in decibels) and current noise situation in Dhaka

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Table 1. Noise Quality Standards, by Zone and Time of Day

| |Limits in dBa |
|Zone Class | |
| |Daytime |Nighttime |
| |(6 a.m. – 9 p.m.) |(9 p.m.-6 a.m.) |
|Silent zone |45 |35 |
|Residential zone |50 |40 |
|Mixed (residential/ |60 |50 |
|commercial/industrial) zone | | |
|Commercial zone |70 |60 |
|Industrial zone |75 |70 |

Source: Unnayan Shamannay, People’s Report on Bangladesh Environment 2001, Volume II, Database (The University Press Limited, Dhaka, 2001).

Table 2. Measured Noise Levels in Some Sensitive Areas of Dhaka

|Location (outside the facility) |Measured noise level (dB) |
| |Morning |Afternoon |
|Shaheen school |74 |83 |
|Motijheel Govt. high school |79 |83 |
|Dhanmondi Govt. boys high school |75 |80 |
|Azimpur girls college |78 |80 |
|Tejgaon women’s college |67 |75 |
|P.G. hospital |78 |82 |
|Dhaka medical college hospital |69 |80 |
|Mitford hospital |73 |76 |
|Children hospital |69 |72 |

Source: GOB 1999: GOB 1997 Bangladesh Compendium of Environment Statistics, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Dhaka, as cited in Unnayan Shamannay, People’s Report on Bangladesh Environment 2001, Volume II, Database (The University Press Limited, Dhaka, 2001).

Table 3. Noise Levels in Selected Areas of Dhaka

|Area |Noise level (decibels) |
|Sayedabad Bus Terminal |106 |
|Bangla Motor |106 |
|Sonargaon Hotel |104 |
|Farmgate |104 |
|Mohakhali Crossing |103 |
|Maghbazar |103 |
|Mowchak |103 |
|Gabtuli |102 |
|Jatrabari |100 |
|Tejgaon Industrial Area | 97 |
|Mirpur-1 | 97 |
|Kakrail | 92 |
|Gulistan | 90 |
|Sapla Chattar Motijheel | 89 |
|Sadarghat | 87 |
|Mirpur-10 | 86 |
|BIRDEM Hospital | 81 |
|Dhanmondi Residential Area | 78 |
|Gulshan Residential Area | 70 |
|Banani and Baridhara Residential Area | 68 |

Source: Society for Assistance to Hearing Impaired Children (SAHIC)

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Significantly, among the students interviewed, almost all—97% of both boys and girls—said that their studying is disturbed by honking.
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Even the drivers who are mostly responsible for noise pollution, detect is as a problem, While overall 76% of drivers felt that noise pollution is a big problem,
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Key Recommendations

In order to reduce noise pollution in Bangladesh, we must work together, as NGOs, media, and concerned individuals, to change our own behavior and to encourage the government to:

□ Enforce existing laws on noise pollution □ Completely ban the use of machines to break bricks □ Ban the use of miking for elections campaigns, processions, and advertising □ Ban industrial activity in urban areas □ Place larger signs banning honking in quiet zones □ Place and enforce limits on decibels in urban areas □ Improve traffic control

CONCLUSION

Noise pollution is a serious and neglected issue in Dhaka, and throughout Bangladesh. It is time for NGOs, the media, and the Government of Bangladesh to work together to reduce the problem, and increase the quality of life in this country. As many of the sources of noise pollution are unnecessary and could be reduced fairly easily and at little cost, there is no excuse for further delaying on action. Given the magnitude of the problem, and of the human suffering that results, we can no longer afford to neglect the issue of noise pollution. For the health, sanity, and well-being of the population, and for the future of our children, it is time that we all take this problem seriously, and begin implementing solutions. Whether as individuals, NGO staff, or members of the media, we can and must take specific steps to reduce the problem of noise pollution.