The Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) has been monitoring the condition of Dehradun’s air quality and air-noise pollution level for more than the past five years.
The data collected by UEPPCB regarding ambient air quality, vehicular and noise pollution in Dehradun during the past three years shows that most forms of pollution have been rising steadily in Dehradun. Though air pollution is more visible in the city, steadily increasing levels of noise pollution have already altered life in the city which was once admired for its clean, green and peaceful environment.
According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, increasing ambient noise levels in public places from various sources like industrial activity, construction activity, generator sets, loud speakers, public address systems, music systems, vehicular horns and other mechanical devices have deleterious effects on human health and the psychological well being of the people. It is considered necessary to regulate and control noise producing and generating sources with the objective of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.
In the near past, District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar Upadhyay had announced that with help from the police, the authorities would strictly implement measures to control noise pollution especially in designated silence zones like Doon Hospital in addition to all hospitals and schools. However, the authorities have remained inactive due to which most forms of pollution have continued to rise as the low level of public awarness abets violation of norms meant to prevent pollution and its detrimental effect on public health.
UEPPCB has been monitoring ambient air quality and noise pollution levels in the city, especially during Deepawali. The noise level values monitored on pre Deepawali day (8/11/07) during the day time indicate levels exceeding the prescribed limit. The locations where values found exceeding the limits are Survey Chowk 74.72 decible (dB), Clock Tower 71.7 dB, Doon Hospital 62.5 dB, Prince Chowk 78.9 dB, Saharanpur Chowk 80.4 dB and ISBT 76.0 dB.
On Deepawali (09/11/07), the noise level values at Doon Hospital increased up to 74.2 dB in comparison to 62.5 dB on pre Deepawali day.
The noise level values on 10/11/07 post Deepawali indicate less value in comparision to pre Deepawali day and Deepawali day, but all values obtained at all locations were found exceeding the values prescribed for noise level.
