Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a rally organised under the Department of Environment's ongoing Integrated and Partnership-based Project for Noise Pollution Control in Dhaka. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Information and Broadcasting and Environment, Forests and Climate Change today urged people from all walks of life to avoid unnecessary honking as part of efforts to control noise pollution.

"Honking without reason has become a deeply rooted bad habit over the years," she said, adding that curbing noise pollution requires not only strict enforcement of laws but also a change in public behavior.

The adviser made the remarks while inaugurating a rally organised under the Department of Environment's ongoing Integrated and Partnership-based Project for Noise Pollution Control in Dhaka.

The rally, jointly organised by the Department of Environment and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), aimed to raise public awareness about noise pollution. With the slogan "No More Noise Pollution, Let Healthy Life Prevail," the adviser formally launched the colorful procession.

The rally started from Manik Mia Avenue (South Plaza of the National Parliament Building) in the morning, passed through Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, and Bijoy Sarani, and concluded at the Department of Environment in Agargaon.

Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended the programme.

Adviser Rizwana highlighted that the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025, have already been gazetted. Under the rules, law enforcement responsibility now extends to the police alongside the Department of Environment, allowing immediate action against noise polluters since police personnel remain on the roads around the clock.

She noted that several areas of Dhaka have been declared silent zones and stressed the importance of strengthening monitoring in these areas.

The adviser identified unnecessary honking and fireworks as the two main sources of noise pollution currently being addressed. She added that initiatives will be taken to ensure fireworks are set off only at designated places during Pahela Baishakh.

Expressing optimism, she said the next elected government would continue ongoing programmes to control noise pollution.

Rizwana also urged media professionals to actively raise public awareness, saying, "I sincerely request you to voluntarily spread the message against unnecessary honking from your respective positions."

Addressing young volunteers, she emphasized that a social movement against noise pollution is essential to protect future generations from hearing impairment.

Dr. Md Kamruzzaman, Director General of the Department of Environment, and Md Sarwar, Additional Police Commissioner of DMP, also spoke at the programme.

Other participants included Md Anisur Rahman, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) of DMP; Farid Ahmed, Project Director of the Noise Pollution Control Project; and senior officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Environment, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

As part of the Department of Environment's integrated and partnership-based project, mobile courts and awareness campaigns were conducted at ten key points across Dhaka for ten days starting January 5. 

The campaign concluded today with the motor rally, supported by young volunteer students of Green Voice.