SC is loud and clear on noise pollution (UPSC Current Affair)

Relevance: GS3 - Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Click here for Daily Current Affairs

Why in the news?

Latest controversial demand by some politician on the loudspeakers on particular religious places and Supreme Court order on Loudspeaker has brought the issue of noise pollution by the loudspeaker in the highlights.

What are the various Court orders on Loudspeaker?

• SC’s June 2005 Order: The Supreme Court had banned the use of loudspeakers and music systems in public places between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. (except in public emergencies) citing the serious effects of noise pollution on the health of those who live in such areas.
• SC’s Order on Festivities 2005: In October, 2005, the Supreme Court ordered that loudspeakers might be used until midnight on festive events for 15 days a year. A bench upheld the constitutionality of a statutory rule allowing states to relax sound pollution norms, including the use of loudspeakers till midnight on festival and religious occasions
• Bombay High Court in 2016: According to the Bombay High Court, No religion or sect could claim that the right to use a loudspeaker or public address system was a basic right guaranteed by Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, according to the Bombay High Court.
• Punjab and Haryana High Court 2019: In July 2019, The Punjab and Haryana High Court banned the use of loudspeakers in public places, including religious institutions. Court ordered, public address systems should only be used with prior permission, and with the allowable limit 10dB.
• Allahabad High Court in 2020: In May 2020, the Allahabad High Court declared that azaan could only be recited by an Islamic priest from the minarets of mosques using human voice, not by loudspeakers.

What are the permissible limits of Loudspeaker?

• As per the Noise pollution rules, noise level has been set under accepted levels in different zones for daytime and nighttime rules.

Industrial Areas:

• Daytime = 75 dBs
• Night = 70 dBs.

Commercial Areas:

• Daytime = 65 dBs
• Night = 55 dBs.

Residential Areas:

• Daytime= 55 dBs
• Night = 45 dBs

What are the impacts of Noise pollution on public health?

• Hearing Problems: Constant exposure to loud levels of noise can easily result in the damage of our eardrums and loss of hearing.
• Psychological Issues: Occurrence of aggressive behavior,like disturbance of sleep, constant stress, fatigue, and hypertension can be linked to excessive noise levels
• .Sleeping Disorders: Loud noise hampers sleeping patterns and may lead to irritation and uncomfortable situations.
• Cardiovascular Issues: Non communicable diseases like Blood pressure levels, cardiovascular disease, and stress-related heart problems are on the rise.
• Communication troubles: Like miscommunication may arise due to High decibel noise.