Health experts and administrative officials unanimously stressed the need for forging social resistance to fight against the noise pollution to save people from being infected with various physical and mental disorders.
Noise pollution is the main reason behind 30 major diseases in the human body and around five percent of the population is affected physically and mentally by pollution.
They came up with the observation while addressing a meeting related to the issue here today.
The Department of Environment (DoE) and the divisional and district administrations jointly organized the meeting held at the office conference hall of Divisional Commissioner to mark the International Noise Awareness Day 2023.
The main theme of the day this year is, "Help raise awareness of the harmful effects of noise on hearing, health and quality of life, and inspire positive action in your community".
Professor Dr Asadur Rahman from the Department of Ear Nose and Throat in Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital illustrated the demerits of noise pollution during his keynote presentation.
He said noise pollution causes multifarious physical and mental disorders among people. Utmost emphasis should be given on creating mass-awareness with full-length enforcement of the existing laws to protect public health from the adverse effects of sound pollution, he said.
Mentioning that excessive traffic noise disrupts people's lives, he said: "Now, it's the time to forge social resistance against noise pollution for a sustainable socio-economic development. We should build safe havens for the future generations."
Commissioner of Rajshahi division GSM Jafarullah addressed the discussion as chief guest, with Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed in the chair.
Additional Commissioner Moinul Islam, Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Shamsun Naher, Superintendent of Police Abdus Salam, DoE Director Ahsan Habib, Deputy Director Mesbabul Alam and Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Sayeed Faruque also spoke disseminating their expertise on the issue.
In his remark, GSM Jafarullah said many people suffer a lot due to sound pollution. So, all the authorities and individuals concerned should come forward and work together to reduce sound pollution.
He said the existing laws related to controlling sound pollution should be enforced and the drivers should drive their vehicles abiding by the law to check sound pollution for the greater interest of public health.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha