If your city went silent for just one hour… would you find it peaceful or uncomfortable?
Waking up to the chirping of birds and a ‘Kukdukoo’ from hens is a luxury only our ancestors could afford. Nowadays, we wake up to honking, alarms, notifications and doorbells. Precisely, anything but a peaceful morning. Our days go by without any consciousness of the amount of noise pollution we deal with. Noise Awareness Day is celebrated, not to reduce noise but to reclaim mental clarity and health.
Noise Pollution is being exposed to any unnecessary or unwanted sound that makes it difficult to stick to our routine. According to the WHO [World Health Organisation], the noise should not exceed 55 decibels in the day and 45-50 decibels in the night. Indian cities daily cross 70 decibels during the day, especially in traffic zones. In fact, Mumbai is ranked amongst the noisiest cities in the world.
Disadvantages Of Noise Pollution
Noise pollution doesn’t just affect ears; it affects a whole lot of other body parts.
It causes an increased risk of heart attack and hypertension.
Disturbs sleep and causes chronic fatigue.
Cognitive impairment in children
Anxiety and stress, which in turn reduce productivity.
Occupational hazard for traffic police and street vendors.
Advantages Of Noise Awareness
Being aware of the noise around you and caused by you is beneficial in the following ways:
Better health by improving sleep cycle and reducing stress
Improved cardiovascular health
Lesser conflicts, better living standards
Ecosystem stability and Wildlife communication
Measurements By The Government For Reducing Noise Pollution
In Chennai, sensor-based noise mapping projects are deployed to identify hotspots and design solutions. Even after deploying strict regulations, noise during Diwali is not under control.
Acoustic barriers and restrictions on loudspeakers have been implemented in Pune with strict monitoring systems.
In cities like Bengaluru, several amendments in fines and campaigns are imposed, but compliance with the regulations is still a challenge.
In Aizawl, people have an epitome of civic sense. Even on the busiest crossroads, there is absolutely no honking. People patiently wait for their turn.
Youth’s Responsibility
As the newer generation, the youth can conveniently change the game. By taking steps on a personal level, the youth can eventually bring about a greater change for the nation. Below are the small day-to-day activities that can significantly create an impact:
Keep your volume in check. If someone next to you can hear your music, the volume is high and can cause hearing damage. Avoid listening to loud music on speakers as well.
Don’t honk unless it is actually needed. Honking in traffic is basically the adult version of pressing elevator buttons repeatedly…like it’s going to arrive faster if you annoy it enough.
Be mindful in public spaces. Keep your voice low. Shouting in cafes, libraries or while commuting in public transport will contribute to noise pollution.
Keep your phone on vibrate. Ditch the sound of random, unwanted notifications. Better for you and best for people around you.
An unmaintained car/bike can cause more noise. Make sure you get your vehicle checked and maintained regularly.
Say no to unnecessary fireworks, minimal if required. Along with noise pollution, it also causes air pollution.
Peace isn’t rare. Quiet isn’t rare. We’ve just forgotten how to create it. Try this: Go one hour today without adding unnecessary noise—and notice the difference.
