SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: In a bid to curb noise pollution, the State Environment Department has made it mandatory for use of sound limiters in all audio systems, to be played in outdoor areas. This also includes government functions.
Sound limiters are devices that monitor the sound and limit the maximum sound level that can be generated by sound equipment.
In a notification issued, the Department of Environment and Climate Change has imposed ban on sale and purchase of sound system without sound limiter being installed on it.
The authorities identified to curb noise pollution are directed to take into consideration all aspects of noise pollution as a parameter of quality of life to avoid noise menace and to achieve the objective of maintaining the ambient air quality standards.
“The authorities are under obligations to ensure that no audio system or public address system is let out or installed without being fitted with sound limiter in any government or non-government functions in the State for outdoor functions,” the notification, issued on July 31, reads.
It has further said that no sound system should be sold or purchased or supplied or used by any manufacturer or dealer or shopkeeper without installation of sound limiter for use in outdoor areas.
The new notification is effected under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000.
According to the rules, the noise limit for residential areas in the day is set at 55 decibels (A), while in the night at 45 decibels (A). For industrial areas, the limit is set to 75 decibels (A) at day and 70 decibels (A) at night.
All areas comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational institution, courts, religious places, wildlife sanctuaries, reserve forests, turtle nesting sites, heritage/archeological sites of State/National/International importance are categorised under silence zone.
