FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
The party belt of Anjuna, Arpora, Chapora attracts huge number of tourists, who revel in the music played from the restaurants, pubs and shacks in these areas. But in the garb of providing entertainment, these commercial establishments are causing noise pollution, which has become a public nuisance and going unchecked.
The locals have been up in arms against the blatant violation of norms. Even the people’s paper Herald crusaded against the issue. The people are urgently seeking redressal to their grievance regarding the growing menace of noise pollution.
What is painful is the fact that the entire coastal belt in North Goa has been transformed from a sleepy fishing hub into behemoths of tourism. Because of this, students are unable to study, people can’t have conversations or relax due to the loud noise which is blared from the loudspeakers from evening onwards and continues till wee hours of the morning. This has disrupted the lives completely. But the authorities continue to turn a deaf ear.
This pollution is completely man-made, with urge to make profits. This malice cuts across different regimes and political parties. This noise pollution is also linked to large scale late night parties with blaring sounds all across villages in North Goa. This problem is not only restricted to only to the established night clubs but also in forests, hideouts, beach shacks amongst others.
Worst part is, whenever there has been attempt to clamp down on this menace – either by the media or locals – there are severe repercussions. The Herald newspaper and TV which reported the issue at lengths ruffled the feathers of these unsocial elements to such an extent that they even threatened our reporter Asmita Polji and a fellow journalist from another media organisation.
The point here is, Article 21 of our Constitution allows us to live with dignity, harmony and have sound sleep. But that is not happening on ground.
The establishments are cutting corners. There is rampant excess use of loud music, flouting the rule that prohibits use of loudspeakers after 10 pm. While we are not saying that night life in Goa should be completely stopped, but there can’t be parties which disrupt people’s lives. There is even the drugs angle, which is linked to trans-music and is a law and order issue.
Reacting to this issue and the role that can be played by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to curb this menace, Board Chairman Mahesh Patil said that noise has been a big issue and it has gained lot of prominence through news reports and court cases.
“It is not a nature-made problem, it is man-made and hence it needs to be controlled. As I represent the GSPCB, which is a technical body, we are mandated to take certain measures under Environment Protection Act. Here, the Noise Act empowers the police and the Sub-district Magistrate (SDM) to take action. However, the GSPCB has an equally important by providing technical assistance in such cases,” Patil said.
He said that this issue needs to be tackled with the combined efforts of the Pollution Control Board, Deputy Collector, Police and the Sub-district Magistrate. They all should work together to take it forward.
“We have prepared an action plan and hope that with a joint action plan and combined efforts of all agencies, we would be able to curb this menace, if not eliminate it totally,” the GSPCB chairman said.
Regarding the Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, Adv Nigel Costa Frias, Counsel for Sound Pollution PILs, said that there are right now a couple of PIL writ petitions pending before the High Court. These are with regard to playing of loud music in the establishments mainly in the Anjuna-Vagator area.
“This is the belt from where maximum complaints come due to the Electronic Dance Music (EDMS) events, parties etc, which start at 6 pm and go on till 6 am the next day. So, there are a number of orders passed by the High Court. The latest one was in December last year. It lays down various actions to be taken by the government agencies, like police patrolling, surprise checks by the Noise Pollution Monitoring Committee formed by the State government, registers are to be maintained and complaints to be noted and the action taken reports are supposed to be submitted by the District Magistrate,” Firas said.
Despite all this, complaints regarding noise pollution continue to pour in, seeking action against the offenders.
“Now, a contempt petition has been filed in the High Court. Most importantly, the government has come up with an action plan, following the directions of the National Green Tribunal. Now, this action plan is good because it will make the judgments of HC and the Green Tribunal more effective,” he said.
Under the Action Plan, these establishments which organise parties and late-night events, are required to fit certain devices that would measure the decibel level of the music that is being played. That in turn would be directly relayed to the GSPCB and the local Sub-divisional Magistrate via the internet.
“Therefore, if there is a violation related to noise pollution norms, or music is being played at a particular time it is not supposed to be played, then it can be easily traced. If these are properly implemented by the government, it will go a long way in curbing this menace. Currently, entire monitoring mechanism is on paper. I hope that the action plan is implemented in its true spirit,” the anti-noise pollution
crusader said.
The moot question is, how do people get away with the feeling that they can actually continue to flout all norms without fearing any action against them?
Kapil Phadte, ex-Deputy Collector, Bardez said that the Noise Pollution Regulation & Control Rules, 2000 is very clear regarding the action that should be taken against the violators.
“Under Section 8, based on police report or a complaint received, the offenders can always be issued with show cause notice, which in my short stint as the Deputy Collector of Bardez, I tried to implement it. There was problem in the manner in which we were issuing the notices under the Environment Protection Act. Then I perused it, made amendments and started issuing notices under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000,” Phadte said.
There was a certain kind of sense instilled that there was the possibility of an action in case rules are violated.
“As a Deputy Collector, it is my duty to respond to people’s grievances. This is what I did. I called the aggrieved people and asked them to air their grievances, so that I could get the exact feel of the situation. Then, many disturbing information came to my notice. People complained about harassment,” he said.
But the fact remains, despite rules, the establishments continue to violate the norms. How is it possible?
“When I started taking action, this problem substantially reduced. The first writ petition was filed in 2021, during my stint as Deputy Collector and I was ready with whatever work I had done. During my time, I took necessary action. If the rules are implemented on the ground properly as stated, such problems can be curtailed. Officers are doing their level best to control the situation. Ultimately the action taken varies from person to person,” he said.
Playing loud music after 10 pm is allowed only under special circumstances, apart from the religious festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding fifteen days. What is required to be able to do so beyond 10 pm on other occasions?
Chairman, GSPCB, Mahesh Patil said that rules are very clear. The Goa Noise Pollution Rules 2000 describes the procedure. There is a format of the application, which has to be filled and submitted to the Collector or the Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM), who sends the application to the Environment Department. They forward it to the GSPCB, being a technical body.
“We visit the site; make an assessment report regarding the present noise levels, the amenities near the location, like hospitals, schools and housing colonies. On this basis, we prepare our report. We also take note of the musical instruments that are going to be played, their decibel levels and most importantly, whether there is a noise control mechanism. So, after 10 pm if music is going to be played, is there a noise reduction facility available?” Patil informed.
This report is then submitted to the Environment Department, which in turn issues the permission.
“For measuring noise levels, one needs sophisticated equipment and also the capability to handle the equipment. I agree that in order to enjoy, one should not cause inconvenience to others. There has to be a balance between the two. There are many establishments who play music indoors. There is a set process, people have to follow it,” the GSPCB Chairman said.
According to him, the Board has given permission to around 25 establishments in the last couple of months to play music beyond 10 pm in North Goa alone.
“This is a new procedure, which not many people are aware of. So, a lot of awareness is required now regarding the permission rules. We are currently working towards creating awareness,” he said.
But, how does one monitor the sound emanating from the mushrooming of unregulated parties having DJs playing
loud music?
“Technology can make a big difference. Few years back, the Goa government had taken a good initiative, which continues even now. Noise meters were given to the police for sound measurement. The police said they didn’t know how to operate the device. So, they were trained by the Board regarding handling of the device. But the police already have a lot of things on its platter. So, we have started using technology to assist us,” Patil said.
A special device is being procured, which would be fitted at a particular place and will directly give the readings to GSPCB, the local police station as well as to the Collector and the Superintendent of Police. The Board is first targeting the “hotspots”. Entire information will flow online.
“We have placed the order for this device. We have finalised the tender and hopefully we will have it in the next couple of months. We can also install these devices on GIDC properties. We have similar equipment, which can be mounted on vehicles. Police can directly trace the noise source and get the readings. We expect to have it by early next year. So, technology will make a big difference,” he said.
At a time when tourism is at its crossroads in Goa, there is an urge to get as many footfalls as possible since there has been a huge revenue gap for the last two years, caused by Covid. So, hotels need to run and have more rooms, bars and restaurants need to pay for their upkeep. The revenue can’t happen if the music is played only till 10 pm because people want to party till wee hours.
Also, music parties are directly linked to alcohol. If there is no music, there won’t be any alcohol sales. There is a need and the greed to get this whole system going. For some people it is a great activity while for some it is a burden. How does one balance between the two?
Night life of Goa is one of the major tourist attractions and without it half of Goa’s charm goes. The whole system collapses, and music is an intrinsic part of it. On the other hand, one has to prevent inconvenience to local residents.
“During my tenure as Deputy Collector, Bardez, I had to implement the rules as cited. If one wants to enjoy music, go to a ‘silent party’ (where the guests enjoy themselves wearing headphones). It happens at Palolem beach. This can be an effective alternative. Someday people have to come to terms with the fact that night life doesn’t only mean loud music. We have to move in a certain direction to enjoy without causing disturbance,” Kapil Phadte said.
One can have a demarcated party zone, where all the night parties happen at one location and the licenses are also sought from the common hub. Can this be
possible?
“While this sounds good, practically implementing it looks difficult. Zoning might not be effective on ground because there could be residential areas nearby those zones. It can be done in pockets,” the former Deputy Collector of Bardez said.
Adv Nigel Costa Frias said ideally this would be the most desirable solution. Even the Noise Pollution Rules have recommended creation of silent zones.
“For certain areas like the stretch from Anjuna to Vagator, this is not really possible as there are houses all over the place. It is possible in South Goa where the population is lesser. You can’t avoid the parties also. Best way to regulate this noise issue is by ensuring that the party ends by 11 pm. If it has to be done beyond that, do it indoors. The establishments have to invest in it by having soundproof structure,” Adv Frias said.
Can the process of granting permissions for holding parties beyond 11 pm be streamlined, so that those who genuinely want the permission can get it faster?
“I agree. In fact we have found certain lacunae in the permission process, which the government is keen on streamlining. The process will be shortly corrected. However, it is true that Goa can’t live without music. These music parties are mostly attended by the younger generation. These parties can be held by following the regulations. Maybe the party organisers could charge more,” GSPCB Chairman Mahesh Patil said.
But according to him, the problem lies in the fact that everybody wants to get in every business. That is spoiling the
situation.
The former Deputy Collector of Bardez, Kapil Phadte said that the government could introduce mobile app through which the permission could be sought. This would reduce the time taken in giving the permissions.
Mahesh Patil said that the GSPCB is conducting all its operations online. Even our inspectors go to the field equipped with laptops and dongles. They complete the inspection and upload the report online.
“Once our entire system is established in another couple of months, we will be able to even conduct public awareness programmes on noise pollution online. People will be empowered to complain, as a redressal mechanism,” he said.
During the peak of the tourism season in Goa between November to January, there is always a spurt in trans-parties. A whole lot of foreign DJs come in and coded invitations are sent. They all are unregulated parties. If you go into the heart of Morjim, Ashwen, Mandrem, so many parties are held, about what hardly anyone knows. How does one monitor such parties?
“I had made an attempt to regulate them and we were successful to a large extent. I just went off the track a bit. We had a young staff, which were aware of these parties through social media. They started tracking these parties. A report used to be sent to me and I would send show cause notices to the organisers,” Phadte said.
It was only after serving notices to these party organisers, they began seeking permission officially. At that time this mechanism was not in place.
“If you have the right intent to do something good, supported by the right type of technology, we will be able to connect with a larger section of the society, including government officials like the Mamletdar, and will be able to take action much more effectively,” the GSPCB Chairman said.
Another issue is parking. Due to lack of availability of dedicated parking space at these party venues, there is always a chronic problem of traffic snarls.
“The Noise Pollution Rules do not deal with it. But the government, in tandem with local panchayats, must create designated parking areas, so that the nuisance of traffic jams is sorted out. There has to be a dedicated effort from all the stakeholders,” Adv Nigel Costa Frias said.
The other issue is the politics and corruption involving the noise pollution issue. If there is no political will, nothing is going to happen. There could be local politicians having stakes in some of these parties.
“The blame lies on us. Every five years, we have the chance to clean the system, but we squander the opportunity. So, why should we blame the politicians? The clean has to start with us. We continue to vote for the same set of people, nothing will change,” Adv Frias said.
Noise pollution has been a constant menace for the hapless residents of North Goa’s coastal belt. While the outsiders revel in the parties playing loud music, the local residents have a harrowing time dealing with the crowd, traffic and noise. These parties are not music to the ears of local Goans.
There are options that are available and can be provided if the right kind of initiative is taken. Be it having parties inside soundproof structures or silent parties with headphones, the time has come for tourists and the party organisers to become more responsible towards the needs of the local population.
The government also needs to get its act together and crackdown the offenders violating the noise pollution norms. The GSPCB on its part is taking certain initiatives that should help the cause. But at the end of the day, proper coordination is needed amongst all government agencies responsible for implementing the provisions of Noise Pollution Rules.
One has to maintain a balance between business needs and public welfare. The latter has to be given equal importance. The tourism season is at its peak now and the parties have started. Time has come to show the right intent and ensure sanity prevails.
