What's the article about?
- It talks about the noise and air pollution as a result of firecrackers during Diwali celebration.
Relevance:
- GS3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment
Context:
- The joyous celebrations associated with Diwali, the Indian “festival of lights,” are often marred by excessive noise pollution from firecrackers. While firecrackers are a traditional part of these festivities, their harmful effects on public health and the environment cannot be ignored.
Analysis:
- Harmful Effects of Noise Pollution:
- Firecrackers, even the less noxious “green” varieties, can produce sound levels exceeding 90 decibels (dB), far beyond the safe limits set by the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000.
- Such high noise levels have been linked to various health problems, including sleep disorders, tinnitus, stress, anxiety, hearing loss, and even cardiac issues.
- Current Regulatory Framework and Enforcement Challenges:
- The Noise Pollution Rules 2000 stipulate noise limits for different areas, such as residential, commercial, and industrial zones.
- However, the demarcation of these zones is often unclear, and enforcement of the rules remains a challenge.
- Additionally, the rules allow for complaints only when noise levels exceed the prescribed limits by 10 dB, which is a significant increase considering the logarithmic nature of the decibel scale.
- Moving Beyond Marginal Improvements:
- Focusing solely on incremental improvements to firecrackers is not addressing the root cause of the problem. India's noise pollution crisis demands a more comprehensive approach.
- Proposed Solutions:
- Ban on Violative Firecrackers: Governments should take immediate action to ban the production and sale of firecrackers that do not adhere to noise pollution regulations.
- Public Access to Noise Data: Cities should improve public access to real-time noise data, allowing citizens to monitor noise levels and make informed decisions about their activities.
- Noise Mitigation Targets: Cities should adopt noise mitigation targets and implement strategies to reduce noise levels across all areas.
Way Forward:
- The festival of lights should not become a festival of noise. By addressing noise pollution as a public health crisis, we can safeguard the well-being of our citizens and preserve the tranquility of our cities.
