Central University of South Bihar

School of Law and Governance

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Project topic:
Different Type of Noise Pollution and Prevention of Noise
Pollution and Decided Cases

Under the supervision of –Dr. Mani Pratap Sir

Assistant professor
Central University of South Bihar

Submitted by-
Akash Kumar
B.A LL.B (2018-2023)
En.No. – CUSB1813125010 (Sem-06)
School of Law and Governance

1
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Writing a project after a research is never an easy task to perform. It is one of the most

significant academic challenges. Though this paper is presented by me yet there are various

other persons who remain in veil and gave all the possible support to complete this project.

This project is a result of hard work incorporated by immense dedication and moral support.

I, hereby, would like to first of all thank Dr. Mani Pratap Sir who gave me an opportunity to

work on this specified project. Due to his support only I successfully completed this paper.

Secondly I would like to add a vote of thanks to my friends who I discussed the problem with

and got to understand the right methodology to be adopted to accomplish the task. Moreover,

there have also been various other factors that helped me complete this paper. I ask for sorry

if there have been any mistakes in the paper. At the same time I would also like to ask the

same to those whose name has not been mentioned hereby in the acknowledgement. But I

wholeheartedly thank all those who have stood there for me every time and supported me.

Last but not the least, I would like to express thank to my seniors who reviewed my paper for

rendering constructive and valuable suggestions and comments that have helped a lot in

improving the quality and content of this paper.

2
 CONTENT

Serial No. Topic Page No.

1. Acknowledgement 2

2. Introduction 4-5

3. Types of Noise Pollution 5-6

4. Effect of Noise Pollution 6-8

5. Prevention of Noise Pollution 8

6. Case Analysis 9-10

7. Conclusion 11

8 Bibliography 12

3
 INTRODUCTION

The word noise is derived from a Latin word ‘Nausea’ which means sickness in which one
feels the need to vomit. Noise is the unpleasant and undesirable sound which leads to
discomfort in human beings. The intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB). The faintest
sound which can be heard by the Human ear is 1Db. Due to increasing noise around the
civilizations, noise pollution has become a important matter of concern. Some of its major
causes are vehicles, aircraft, industrial machines, loudspeakers, crackers, etc. Some other
appliances also contribute to noise pollution like television, transistor, radio, etc. when it is
used as a high volume.

Noise pollution is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may
lead to adverse effects in humans or other living organisms. According to the “World Health
Organization”, sound levels less than 70 dB are not damaging to living organisms, regardless
of how long or consistent the exposure is. Exposure for more than 8 hours to constant noise
beyond 85 dB may be hazardous. If you work for 8 hours daily in close proximity to a busy
road or highway, you are very likely exposed to traffic noise pollution around 85dB.

Noise contamination is an undesirable or hostile sound that irrationally interferes into our day
by day exercises. It has numerous sources, the majority of which are related with urban
improvement like street, air, rail transport, modern noise, neighbourhood and recreational
commotion. Various components add to issues of high noise levels, including expanding
population and expanding commotion levels in a vehicle .The familiarity with ecological
commotion has expanded and there is a higher desire for region, state and neighbourhood
government to diminish commotion levels in India. Although noise a critical natural issue,
usually hard to evaluate related expenses. Expulsion of weight horns from all vehicles.
regulatory experts, nearby bodies, and princely individuals. Noise lately has developed as one
of the critical poisons of condition. Indeed, it needs the enactment to control and there are
some focal and state authorizations which specifically or in a roundabout way identify with
the issue of commotion be that as it may, there is no particular enactment in India as in some
different nations to address the developing difficulties of noise contamination on national
level. Another issue of noise contamination in India is a result of the unpredictable utilization
of amplifiers. Its aimless use from religious spots and in execution of religious functions and
talks now and again makes it so troublesome for the general population to make the most of

4
their fundamental flexibilities with all human respect. Distinctive individuals have diverse
profundities of rest and they can change in accordance with nighttime sounds. No question in
India, institutions for natural security exist, yet the gravity of the issue of commotion
contamination has not yet been acknowledged by the Government. The issue of noise
contamination has officially crossed the risk point and commotion like exhaust cloud, is
debilitating as a moderate operator of death. It is elusive, even in country regions, wherever
where the main sound are those delivered by nature. People are the normal receptors of noise
contamination. In spite of the fact that it is anything but difficult to demonstrate that over the
top noise could bring about the loss of hearing in people, it is hard to show to what degree the
impacts of commotion can win on people. Noise can deliver genuine physical and mental
weight on individuals. Effect of commotion relies on the sound's pitch, its recurrence, time
example and length of introduction. Noise has both sound-related and non sound-related
impacts relying on the force and the term of the commotion level. It influences rest, hearing
and correspondence, mental and physical wellbeing.

Types of Noise Pollution

There are basically five types of Noise Pollution are:-

1) Transport Noise
2) Man-Made Noise
3) Neighbourhood Noise
4) Industrial Noise
5) Environmental Noise

Transport Noise

It mainly consists of traffic noise which has increased in recent years with the increase in the
number of vehicles. The increase in noise pollution leads to deafening of older people,
headache, hypertension, etc.

5
Man-Made Noise

This refers to the noise created due to man-made activities. It can be anything
from construction work, noise from the air, vehicular traffic, household noise, noise from
pubs and bars, to name a few. Ranging from 30 to a whopping 140 dB, this form of noise is
extremely harmful to humans.

Neighbourhood Noise

The noise from gadgets , household utensils etc. Some of the main sources are musical
instrument, transistors, loudspeaker etc.

Industrial Noise

It is the high-intensity sound which is caused by heavy industrial machines. According to

many researches, industrial noise pollution damages the hearing ability to around 20%.

Environmental Noise

Environmental Noise refers to the kind of noise occurring from a range of environment
activities. This can be anything from the mating call of animals to the sound of thunderstorm
that often go up to 140dB.

Effect of Noise Pollution

1. Effect of hearing or deafness

These effects only become of real importance if the sounds are exceptionally loud.
Continuous exposure to noise levels much above 100 dB has an adverse effect on hearing
ability within a fairly short time. Many workers who are exposed to the noise of jet aircraft or
very noisy workshops for even moderate periods soon develop detectable hearing defects.
Today it has become the practice for workers in these situations to the equipped with ear
protectors and provided these are worn all the time hearing ability is not affected.

6
 2. Effect on communication or speech interference

External sounds can interfere with conversation and use of the telephone, and well as the
enjoyment of radio and television programmes and like pastimes. It can thus affect the
efficiency of offices, schools and other places where communication is of vital importance.
The maximum accepted level of noise under such conditions in 55 dB. 70 dB is considered
very noisy and serious interference with verbal communications is inevitable.
3. Mental or Physiological Effect

Many people complain that noise makes them mentally ill. Experiments have been performed
to attempt to confirm or disprove these claims. According to the H.M. Stationery Office
report Noise; noise certainly does not contribute in the least to mental illness. Doctors and
scientist have now medically confirmed that noise disturbs the biological organisms and their
respective functions of the humans. Fire crackers and other excessive and continuous
explosives become physically painful giving rise to neurosis, mental illness, cardiovascular
diseases, stomach ulcers and respiratory disorders reducing human life. Recent researches
have concluded that short exposures to noise (in excess of about 100 dB) leads to adverse
effects on foetus, headache and, dizziness, dilatoriness in intestines, stomach problems and
effects on eye sights to the extent that these at times become incurable.
4. Effect on physical health and working efficiency or physiological problem
Noise has little physical effect on the biological performance provided that the noise level is
below about 90 dB. Damage to the inner ear may result if continuous noise levels exceed
about 100 dB as has been observed by the Doctors leading to physical illness. Psychiatrists
and psychologists have in recent researches have made observations that noise has certain
relation with physical health causing tension resulting in problems such as speech
interference, annoyance, fatigue, sleep interference and emotional distress. Noise levels in
industries causes’ interference in efficiency and communication and raises possibilities of
accidents. World Health Organisation has estimated remarkable loss in the industries
annually.
5. Effect on other animal and other Living Things
The effect caused by industries, railways, crackers, explosions and commotion in the cities,
aircrafts etc., can be felt on animals, birds, mice, fishes and domestic animals for they are
susceptible to various effects of due to exposure noise levels change their places. Birds avoid
migrating to places where noise level is above 100 dB. The noise emissions caused by

7
supersonic aircraft, railway noise emissions etc., may cause miscarriage in mammals and
fishes as well as birds are observed to have stopped laying eggs. Thus to sum up animals and
other living things become upset more than human beings and in the direct cause of
ecological in balance.
6. Effect on Non-Living Things
Intense noise levels affect non-living things too. The noise booms cause cracks in national
and archeological monuments as well as very high levels of noise are the cause of cracks in
hills. High intensity explosions can break glass panes and vibrations in the buildings.
Research work at India and abroad is being done so as to access its gravity on non-living
things so that precautions could be taken forehand to reduce impact thereof.

PREVENTION OF NOISE POLLUTION

Some noise pollution preventive measures are provided in the points below.

 Honking in public places like teaching institutes, hospital, etc. should be banned.

 In commercial, hospital, and industrial buildings, adequate soundproof systems should

be installed.

 Musical instruments sound should be controlled to desirable limits.

 Dense tree cover is useful in noise pollution prevention.

 Explosives should be not used in forest, mountainous and mining areas.

 Wear earplugs whenever exposed to elevated noise levels.

 Maintain a level of around 35 dB in your bedroom at night, and around 40 dB in your
house during the day.
 If possible, choose your residential area as far removed from heavy traffic.
 Avoid prolonged use of earphones, especially at elevated sound levels.
 If possible, avoid jobs with regular exposure to elevated sound levels.

8
 CASE RELATING ON NOISE POLLUTION

Case: Church of God in India Vs KKR Majesty Colony Welfare

Association

Facts:

The respondent KKR Majestic colony made a complaint to the Tamil Nadu High
Court(including pollution Control Board and various other authorities)that prayers on the
Church located at KKR Nagar, Madhavaram High Road, Chennai, were recited by using
loudspeaker, drums and other sound producing instruments which cased noise pollution
thereby disturbing and casing nuisance public to the normal life of the residents of the said
colony and made a request for a direction to take appropriate measures to control large-scale
pollution.

Issue:

Whether beating of drums or reciting of prayers by use of microphones and loudspeakers so

as to disturb the peace or tranquility of neighbourhood should be permitted?

Analysis:

The Pollution Control Board clearly attributed the noise pollution in the area in question to
the vehicular traffic and not to any of the activities of the appellant-Church and, therefore,
direction issued in respect of controlling the noise ought not to have been extended in respect
of the appellant-Church that the High Court has overlooked that the right to profess and
practice Christianity is protected under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India which
cannot be dislodged by directing the authorities to have a check on the appellant Church and
that the judgment relied upon by the High Court in Appa Rao's case did not empower Welfare
Association is consisting of members belonging to all religions as found by the High Court. It
is contended that even if the contention of the appellant Church that the noise created by it is
within the prescribed limit is taken as it is the order passed by the High Court will not in any

9
way prejudice the right of religious practice of appellant because the order of the High Court
is only with regard to reducing the noise pollution in that area. It is further contended that the
High Court can pass orders to protect and preserve a very fundamental right of citizen under
Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India.

Judgment:

The no religion prescribes that prayers should not be performed by disturbing the peace of
others nor does it preach that they should be thorough voice amplifiers or beating of drums. In
our view, in a civilized society, in the name of religion, activities which disturb the old or
infirm persons. Students or children having their sleep in the early hours or during daytime or
other persons carrying on other activities cannot be permitted. It should not be forgotten that
young babies in the neighborhood and a student preparing for his exams are also entitled to
enjoy their natural right of sleeping in a peaceful atmosphere. Their rights are also required to
be honored.

10
 CONCLUSION

Lastly I’m concluding my topic of noise pollution therefore this paper explores the sources,
effects and suggestions for controlling the excessive noise, industries, highway transport,
airports, railways and public address system turns out to be major sources of noise pollution.
In our life by knowingly or unknowingly every one of the possibilities for real time control of
noise pollution. This leads to marginal reduction of noise levels at the source. Another issue
of noise contamination rose as of late in India is a result of the unpredictable utilization of
amplifiers. Its aimless use from religious spots and in execution of religious functions and
talks now and again makes it so trouble some of the suitable action will be taken to attenuate
the noise levels and controlling pollution. In future, public education, government and NGOs
can play significant role in controlling the noise pollution. The inhabitants living in these
areas are bound to suffer from health problems and low life quality. From the technical point
of view, it is necessary to take several measures in order to reduce the noise levels. Noise
pollution is a silent attacker which is directly and indirectly responsible for health hazards,
sickness and other ailments and loss of income due to reduced work. It has also added to the
suffering firings of human beings. Environmental degradation arising from noise pollution
and other factors has become a major cause of worry for future generations. One should not
experiment with a system in a way that imposes unknown and potentially large risks on future
generations. In order to do so, measures should be considered as Reduction of speed limits,
mainly near residential areas, schools and hospitals. Incentives may be given to the vehicle
manufactures to develop new systems in order to reduce sound power emissions. Through the
results obtained in the study it’s very evident that the city is suffering from severe noise
pollution due to the vehicular traffic, industries contribute less concerned with increase in
noise pollution. The Noise as of late has risen as one of the essential poisons of condition.
This is mainly attributed towards congested traffic area, unplanned road network, reduced one
way traffic, construction of silence zone in the main area of the city, unplanned urban sprawl
etc. In most the areas the noise level is exorbitant with more than 85 db average is prevailing
across the city during the peak hour traffic, many schools, hospitals are situated in the heart of
the city are also affected severely by the noise pollution. Removal of encroachments and
banning the use of air horns within the city limits.

11
 BIBLOGRAPHY

BOOKS/JOURNELS

1. Environmental Law by Gurdip Singh

2. Environmental Law by S.C.Shastri

3. Environmental Law and Policy in India by Shyam Diwan

4. Environmental Law by Dharmendra S. Sengar

WEBSITES

1. www.legalaffairs.gov.in

2. www.indiankanoon.org

3. www.legalservicesindia.com

12