Students to be drafted to campaign against noise pollution

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, NOV. 4. The A.P. Pollution Control Board has embarked upon a major campaign to bring about greater awareness on noise pollution by drafting children from 2,300 schools throughout the State under the National Green Corps programme till November 14.

An estimated 30 to 40 lakh school children will organise pledges, take out rallies and educate people against loud fire-crackers, public address systems and ceremonial music during festivals and functions.

This was stated by Mr. W.G. Prasanna Kumar, Social Scientist, APPCB, at a press conference here on Sunday.

The campaign against noise pollution has received a shot in the arm with the latest Supreme Court judgement which had issued specific guidelines to control it, especially during festivals.

Noise decibel levels were showing a marked increase over the years and while the prescribed limit was 65 decibels, noise levels could reach upto 130-140 decibels during Diwali time, he pointed out and said the campaign was a way of sensitising the people and putting `social pressure'.

Such a programme taken up in Delhi by schoolchildren was quite successful and they also made a determined effort not to buy firecrackers since it involved child labour too, he explained.

The Apex Court had allowed bursting of firecrackers between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. only and that they should not be used at any time in silence zones like hospitals, educational institutions and courts. Anyone found violating these norms can inform the police. Offenders can be fined from Rs. 1,000 upto Rs. 1 lakh, he said.

With regard to the prevailing noise limits in the city, Mr. Prasanna Kumar said the PCB was going to increase the monitoring devices to 30 and locate them in different areas. At the moment, monitoring was being done at five places - Punjagutta, Paradise, Abids, Charminar and Banjara Hills with the mean/maximum being 80/95,80/95,80/95,82/99 & 75/90 decibels respectively.

The PCB had given notices to seven prominent theatres this year to reduce their noise levels which were reaching 100-110 decibels when the average was 90, he added.

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Section  : Southern States
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