Dhaka:A total of 139,640 individuals have received training under a government initiative in Bangladesh to combat noise pollution. The project, which began in June 2025, aims to mitigate the negative impacts of excessive noise throughout the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the initiative, known as the 'Integrated and Participatory Project for Noise Pollution Control,' involves public campaigns, stakeholder training, and the designation of silent zones. It also includes mobile court operations to address noise pollution issues.
The project has targeted various groups, including 50,000 students, 72,200 transport drivers and workers, and 8,140 government officials. Additionally, 1,920 factory and construction workers, 1,800 journalists, and 5,580 professionals, businesspeople, religious leaders, teachers, and NGO representatives have been trained. Furthermore, 240 officers from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and the Islamic Foundation have received Training of Trainers (ToT).
Trained individuals are encouraged to spread awareness within their communities. Students are educating peers and family members, while imams are informing their congregations about noise pollution.
The initiative also features extensive publicity campaigns, utilizing television, radio, social media, and print to disseminate noise-awareness messages. Materials such as leaflets and training manuals have been distributed widely, and physical materials like billboards and signboards have been installed.
To enforce noise control, about 2,500 mobile courts have operated across the country, resulting in 7,297 cases. These efforts have led to the collection of over Tk 10 million in fines and the destruction of nearly 7,000 hydraulic horns.
Noise-awareness activities have included the observance of a 'Silent Minute' in Dhaka and ongoing campaigns against honking in silent zones. Additionally, the project has engaged young people through events like the 'Youth Festival' to promote environmental awareness.
Efforts continue with a target to train an additional 36,120 people in the 2025-26 fiscal year, as part of the ongoing mission to reduce noise pollution in Bangladesh.