Noise Pollution - 1

Noise pollution may be defined as the state of discomfort and restlessness to human beings caused by unwanted high intensity sound (noise). It is of both natural and artificial type. Former is caused by natural sources like cloud thunder, hailstorms, wa­terfalls, avalanches and landslides etc.

Latter is the outcome of human activities like running of ma­chines, automobiles, aircrafts, radios televisions, exhaust-fans, lawn-movers, blowing of sirens, loud­speakers, and organising cultural programmes, dance, and music etc. It is the artificial noise pollution, which is increasing due to growing urban and indus­trial activities and is a matter of serious concern.

Noise level is measured in terms of decibel (dB) which is the unit of measurement of intensity of sound. A noise of zero dB on the decibel scale represents the faintest sound audible to human ear while that of 180 dB shows the sound of large rocket engine. In general, noise above 70 dB is harmful to human beings.

In India noise pollution is growing in recent years due to increase in industrial, urban, transport and construction activities. A number of studies have revealed that noise pollution is a greater men­ace in most of the million cities of India character­ized with high traffic density and .industrial activi­ties. However, the level of pollution varies in ac­cordance with the location, time, population density and functions of the city.

The study of Kanpur (Kumra, 1982), Mumbai and Chennai have revealed common features, i.e. high noise level in the areas located close to aerodromes, railway stations, bus terminals, industrial establishments, busy markets, high density traffic routes and high population den­sity clusters. Loudspeakers and traffic noise is the great nuisance in the Indian cities. The level of pollution increases during festivals, cultural pro­grammes, elections, national festivities and victo­ries and traffic jams.

Most of our cities have higher level of noise pollution...