State proposes amendment to Noise Pollution Rules, 2000

PORVORIM: Stating that Goa has a unique and diverse culture with local village level celebrations being held past midnight, the State government has proposed to the Centre to amend the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, in a bid to allow use of loud speakers or public address system beyond 10 pm to 12 midnight in every village or municipality areas during the annual zatra and feast.

Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral informed the House that the State has also requested to permit the designated and recognised venues, be it open or closed and recreational zones, provided that such venues have installed sound barriers or fencing all around the periphery and online continuous noise level meter with electronic display of real time noise levels. 

The government has also proposed to notify special Entertainment Zones to allow the outdoor music till 12 midnight with authorities at liberty to restrict or stop the same following complaints, he said.

The State has also proposed Centre to have separate categorisation of zoning for beach shacks under Noise Pollution Rules with specific definition of daytime and nighttime, he said responding to the Calling Attention motion.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai and AAP MLA Venzy Viegas had raised a calling attention motion pointing out to the fear and anxiety in the minds of the people, especially those dependent on the tourism, music and entertainment industry, with regards to the negative impact on Goan culture, social events, religious festivals, weddings, family functions and Goa Tourism industry as a result of the ban on playing amplified music beyond 10 pm.

The opposition, appreciating the State’s steps, demanded that some immediate solution needs to be worked out to give relief to the tourism sector, destination weddings, local weddings and religious festivities. At the same time, they also said that a balance needs to be struck to ensure that under the behest of relaxation, illegal music events or rave parties do not surface.

Responding to the concern, Minister Cabral said that the Government has represented to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2020 as well as 2023 for amendment to the Noise Rules. 

He said that the Centre pointed out that with introduction of Rules, all the activities like zatra and feast, which are celebrated midnight, were curtailed causing legal impediments to such religious cultural activities.

He said that the amendment sought to allow use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 12 midnight in every village or municipality on the day of annual zatra and feast. 

“Also the same be permitted to the designated and recognised venues be it open or closed and recreational zones, provided that the venue is recognised and authorised by the local State Pollution Control Board and has installed sound barriers/fencing all around the periphery of the venue/recreational zone and online continuous noise level meter with electronic display of real time noise levels on the periphery of the venue,” he said.

Cabral informed the House that GSPCB will carry out noise level mapping and various locations in the State including industrial zone, commercial zone, residential zone and silence zone.

The minister said that the government has notified an action plan for implementation of the Noise Regulation and Control Rules 2000. In the said Action Plan it is made mandatory for the open air venues for marriages/wedding/functions/parties to install online noise monitoring system display boards along the periphery of the venue.