THIS is apropos of Fayyaz Bukhari’s letter ‘Fireworks at weddings a nuisance’ (July 24). I agree with the writer. A noise is a nuisance that is a major threat to human lives. In the past 30 years such a noise has been increasing rapidly.
In Pakistan, unfortunately there is no legislation to deal with the noise emanating from railway engines, aircraft or airport or industrial or construction activities.
Public complaints about noise pollution are often received in the federal and provincial Environmental Protection Agencies, but in the absence of national standards for a noise, these agencies do not take any legal action.
The road traffic noise is another source of noise nuisance in urban areas of Pakistan: the situation is getting alarming with increase in traffic density on city roads, particularly in Karachi.
At present, there are no national standards for prescribing noise limits for residential areas, industrial areas, commercial areas or silence zones.
Most of the areas, particularly the urban side, are subjected to unacceptable noise conditions due to construction, manufacturing, traffic and recreational activities.
No national survey has been conducted to assess the noise level in cities. However, random tests in different cities showed that the noise level in most of the areas was a high as 70 to 90 dB (A), which is much higher than the acceptable limits.
At present there is no specific and detailed legislation to control noise pollution. The government should pass the ‘Noise Pollution Control Act’ to meet special Pakistan condition.
Apart from such kind of central legislation, there should be a city noise control code for all major cities in Pakistan. Creation of an unnecessary noise has to be prohibited and should be punishable under law which is made by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak - EPA) exercising its power under clause (d) of section of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance (PEPO),1983.
I urge the government to revise the Pakistan standards for noise emission for motor vehicles and ban on use of pressure horns, marriage halls, clubs, hotels, musical shows, musical shops, fairs, exhibitions, and also ban on fireworks.
In this regard TV, radio, the Internet and newspapers should give wide publicity.
DILBAR DETHO Shikarpur
