DoE holds Noise Pollution Control Campaign

Under the initiative of the Department of Environment (DoE), a “Integrated and Participatory Project for Noise Pollution Control” is being implemented through mobile courts and public awareness campaigns at 10 key locations in Dhaka over 10 working days. 

The campaign was formally inaugurated yesterday (January 5) at 11:00 am in front of the National Press Club by Ms. Mohsina Akter Banu, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 

In her inaugural address, she emphasized that public awareness is essential for controlling noise pollution and called upon everyone to come forward to address this growing problem. She noted that noise pollution has reached an alarming level in recent years and stated that the government, through the Department of Environment, is making all-out efforts to curb it. She expressed hope that the campaign would raise public awareness and ensure compliance with the Noise Pollution Control Regulations, wishing the initiative every success, according to a press release. 

The inaugural event was moderated by Humayun Kabir Suman, Co-Coordinator of Green Voice. Among others, Alamgir Kabir, Chief Coordinator of Green Voice and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), addressed the gathering. He highlighted that the Department of Environment’s integrated noise pollution control project has been working consistently for a long time, with active support from Green Voice members. 

Calling upon all citizens, he urged collective action to keep the environment pollution-free and to leave behind a livable, noise-free world for future generations.

Also speaking at the event was Traffic Sergeant Khalilullah from the Paltan Zone of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Other attendees included Md. Fazle Elahi, Project Manager of the Integrated and Participatory Noise Pollution Control Project, and Gazi Mahibur Rahman, Training and Campaign Specialist of the project. 

Following a human chain in front of the Press Club, a colorful awareness rally marched from the Press Club to the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University, spreading messages against noise pollution. The rally featured a pickup van decorated with awareness messages, placards and festoons carrying various slogans, and an eye-catching squirrel-shaped mascot that attracted public attention. As part of the campaign, activities will be conducted continuously for ten working days at major locations across Dhaka, including Azimpur, New Market, Agargaon, Planning Commission Intersection, Bangladesh Secretariat, Government Employees’ Hospital Intersection, Gulshan-2 Circle, and TSC. The campaign is being organized by the project in collaboration with the concerned traffic divisions of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Green Voice. More than 150 college and university student volunteers from Green Voice have been divided into ten groups to conduct awareness activities at these locations. Alongside awareness-building efforts, a mobile court was operated by the Department of Environment on the road in front of the Azimpur Government Quarters. Furthermore, under the Noise Pollution (Control) Regulations, 2025, traffic sergeants have been granted on-the-spot fining authority.

 Accordingly, the DMP Traffic Division actively joined the campaign and imposed fines on vehicles exceeding permissible noise limits. The event saw participation from people of diverse professions in addition to young student volunteers. Participants held placards and banners displaying slogans such as “No Horn,” “Unnecessary Horns Damage Hearing,” “Noise Pollution Causes Multiple Health Risks,” and “Let’s Stop Unnecessary Honking.”

 Organizers stated that the primary objective of the initiative is to raise awareness among people from all walks of life about the harmful impacts of noise pollution. As part of the awareness drive, stickers carrying messages against unnecessary honking were placed on vehicles, while pedestrians and drivers were provided with informative leaflets highlighting the dangers of noise pollution. The project authorities expressed their gratitude to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police for their cooperation and voiced optimism that, with the new regulatory authority granted to traffic sergeants, they would play a stronger role in controlling noise pollution across the city.