Smt.

Kapila Khandvala College of Education

Santacruz (West)
Academic Year 2019-2021
Assignment
Semester IV

Name: Salome George Tavares

Roll No: 47
Subject: Environmental Education (EC3)
Topic: Noise Pollution Act - 2000
NOISE POLLUTION
Noise pollution, unwanted or excessive sound that can have deleterious effects on
human health, wildlife, and environmental quality. Noise pollution is commonly
generated inside many industrial facilities and some other workplaces, but it also
comes from highway, railway, and airplane traffic and from outdoor construction
activities.

SOURCE OF NOISE POLLUTION: -

These are the main source of noise pollution: -
• House Hold Sources
• Social Events
• Transportation

• Household Source: - Gadgets like food mixer, grinder, vacuum cleaner,

washing machine and dryer, cooler, air conditioners, can be very noisy and
injurious to health.

• Social Events: - Weddings, Discos and gigs, parties and other social events
also create a lot of noise for the people living in that area. It is important to
note that whey these events are not often, they can be called “Nuisance”
rather than noise pollution.

• Transportation: - Aeroplanes flying over houses close to busy airports. Over

ground and underground trains, vehicles on roads, these are constantly
making a lot of noise.
 NOISE POLLUTION ACT – 2000

INTRODUCTION

There are no special legislative provisions in India to handle the problem of noise
pollution and its control. However, according to ‘Article 48A’ of Indian
Constitution, the government is responsible for protecting and improving the
natural environment. Similarly, according to ‘Article 47’ the government is
accountable for improving the health, nutritional level and standard of living of the
general public. Referring to these provisions, it can be concluded that the term
‘Protection of Environment’ as expected by the Government of India should also
include the measures for controlling noise and sound pollution.
The Environment Protection Act of 1986 also refers to the control and abatement of
the environmental pollution which includes guidelines about noise pollution
control. Keeping in view the serious health hazard due from noise the Government
thought it fit to enact a special law in regulation to control Noise pollution. The
enactment of the Noise regulation Rules 2000 under Sec 3 of Environmental
Protection Act, 1986, is seen as a comprehensive legislation to control the
increase of the noise level in Industrial, commercial and residential zones.
A draft of Noise Pollution (Control and Regulation) Rules was published under the
notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forest
on 28th June, 1999 and copies of the said Gazette were made available to the public
on the 1st July, 1999. In exercise of the powers conferred by various clauses of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes the
rules for the regulation and control of noise producing and generating sources.
 The Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000
The major provisions of this Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rules are as
follows:

❖ Ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different

areas/zones. –
1. The State Government shall categorize the areas into industrial, commercial,
residential or silence areas/zones for the purpose of implementation of noise
standards for different areas.
2. Ambient air quality standards in respect of noise in these various zones are
as follows:

Area Code Category of Noise Limits in Decibels

Area/Zone
Day Time Night Time
6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.
(A) Industrial Area 75 70
(B) Commercial 65 55
Area
(C) Residential Area 55 45
(D) Silence Zone 50 40

3. The State Government shall take measures for abatement of noise including
noise emanating from vehicular movements and ensure that the existing
noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under
the rules.

4. An area comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational
institutions and courts may be declared as silence area/zone for the purpose
of these rules.
5. All development authorities, local bodies and other concerned authorities
while planning developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to
town and country planning shall take into consideration all aspects of noise
pollution as a parameter of quality of life to avoid noise menace and to
achieve the objective of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in
respect of noise.

❖ Restrictions on the use of loud speakers / public address system

and sound producing instruments. -
1. A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used except after
obtaining written permission from the authority.

2. A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used at night

(between 10.00 pm to 6.00 am) except in closed premises for communication
within e.g., auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.

3. The State Government may subject to such terms and conditions as are
necessary to reduce noise pollution permit use of loud speakers or public
address systems during night hours (between 10.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight)
on or during any cultural or religious festive occasion of a limited duration
not exceeding fifteen days in all during a calendar year.

4. The noise level at the boundary of the public place, where loudspeaker or
public address system or any other noise source is being used shall not
exceed 10 dB (A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB (A)
whichever is lower

5. The peripheral noise level of a privately owned sound system or a sound

producing instrument shall not, at the boundary of the private place, exceed
by more than 5 dB (A) the ambient noise standards specified for the area in
which it is used.
❖ Provisions for the consequences of any violation in silence
zone/area:
Whoever, in any place covered under the silence zone / area commits any of
the following offence, he shall be liable for penalty under the provisions of
the Act: -
a. whoever, plays any music or uses any sound amplifiers,

b. whoever, beats a drum or tom-tom or blows a horn either musical or

pressure, or trumpet or beats or sounds any instrument, or

c. whoever, exhibits any mimetic, musical or other performances of a nature to

attract crowds.

d. whoever, bursts sound emitting fire crackers; or

e. whoever, uses a loud speaker or a public address system.

❖ Restrictions on the use of horns, sound emitting construction

equipment’s and bursting of fire crackers: -
1. No horn shall be used in silence zones or during night time in residential
areas except during a public emergency.

2. Sound emitting fire crackers shall not be burst in silence zone or during night
time.

3. Sound emitting construction equipment’s shall not be used or operated

during night time in residential areas and silence zones.
 Reflection:
According to me Environmental Education is one of the most important
subject for us which provides important opportunities for students to become
engaged in real world issues that transcend classroom walls. They can see the
relevance of their classroom studies to the complex environment issues. They are
the only one’s who can acquire skills and need to be creative in problem solvers
and powerful advocates to build in healthy environment.
Throughout this paper, I have become more aware through our own lived
experiences on the role of noise pollution in our everyday lives. With a greater
understanding of noise pollution, I have been motivated to change my lifestyle
habits that could have contributed to noise pollution. Like, I have tried to reduce
the volume levels when I watch my TV at home or use other electronic gadgets
such as speakers in order to stop the onset of NIHL and stop disturbing the sleep
of my family members and neighbours which could lead to other health issues
such as fatigue, mood disorders and even cardiovascular problems.
It is very important as teacher to know about this topic that affect our environment.
It is very important to have discussion on such topic to create awareness about the
issues and this assignment gave an overview how these issues affect our
environment. It also gave an overview with the help of causes and solution and
how to inculcate in our daily life.
Being a future teacher it’s my duty to make them aware of the important
provisions given by the government. To teach them by following this rules and
regulations how the health problems can be reduced and also how it will not cause
harm to environment. Besides this there some basic things we can teach them
which we don’t follow like –
a) when the quarrel takes place that matter can be resolved in silent manner or
in low voice but still, we increase are volume.
b) We unnecessarily shout at home, school or public places- sometimes it
happens the person is beside you but still we shout.
c) Also, as I mentioned above when we sit to watch TV, the volume is high. By
this there can be more disturbance. So always we have to try to keep the
volume low.
d) We can also reduce the noise pollution in many ways - by turning off
appliances when not in use, use of earplugs, planting more trees, regular
maintenance of vehicles and machines etc. By controlling noise, we can control
negative health effects that noise pollution has on everyone.

Apart from the legislative measures, the State has also directed to add chapters in
text books regarding ill effects of noise pollution. In this way the Government of
India has also enacted through its legislative measures in order to control and
regulate increasing noise pollution. These government efforts will bear the fruits of
success only through proper civic discipline and drawing a favourable response
from the public.
Finally, I recognise that there are many factors and actors that contribute to the
prevalence of noise pollution, but I believe that YOU as an individual should take
responsibility and take the initiative to prevent or reduce noise pollution within
your own means. This mindset and approach towards noise pollution is one that
we can take for other forms of pollution. We should not wait to tackle noise
pollution as its dangers will not wait to impact YOU.