A 'one minute of silence' program will be observed in Dhaka city from 10am to 10:01am on October 15 to create widespread public awareness about noise pollution.
Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Farhina Ahmed said this while talking to reporters at the secretariat on Thursday.
The secretary said to make this program successful, officials and employees of the government departments and agencies, school and college scouts, traffic police and members of the transport owners association will form a human chain with banners, and festoons from 9:30am to 10:00am on Sunday (October 15) at 11 important points of Dhaka city.
The important points included Osmani Memorial Auditorium, Shahbagh intersection, Uttara, Bijoy Sarani crossing, Mirpur-10 Roundabout, Gabtoli, Moghbazar, Mohakhali, Gulshan-1, Kamalapur, Buddha Mandir and Jatrabari intersection.
"Drivers on the road will receive noise awareness leaflets and stickers from the human chain. They will be encouraged to avoid honking for one minute during the event," said the environment secretary.
"Noise pollution is a serious threat to public health. Excessive noise pollution causes low hearing in the ears, partial or complete deafness, heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, loss of focus and premature abortion," said Farhina Ahmed.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is implementing an 'integrated and partnership project to control noise pollution' to keep the countrymen free from the harmful effects of noise pollution, according to the environment secretary.
As part of the campaign, awareness theme songs, TVCs, radio dramas and documentaries are being produced and aired.
Besides, social media and print media campaigns are underway and awareness billboards, sign boards, leaflets, stickers, prints and distribution have been completed.
Meanwhile, Mobile courts are being conducted on a regular basis.
Responding to a question from a journalist, the secretary said the transport sector has been identified as the main source of noise pollution.
“Noise pollution is caused by vehicular movement and unnecessary honking. Besides, the ministry has identified the construction sector and factories among others as sources of noise pollution.”
Secretary Farhina Ahmed said the Environment Ministry is working with BRTA and BRTC as the transport sector has been identified as the main source of noise pollution.
Additional projects are in the pipeline to transform Dhaka into a quieter city, she added.
