SYLHET, Oct 27, 2022 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin today said noise pollution should be checked aiming to protect public health and make a civilized society as well.

"Excessive noise causes about 30 types of physical and mental problems, including mental fatigue and exhaustion, high blood pressure, heart disease, neurological problems, inattention, memory loss and deafness. Children can become mentally retarded due to noise pollution. For this reason, unnecessary noise should be avoided in all cases, including stopping the use of hydraulic horns," he said.

The minister said these as the chief guest at the awareness workshop for professionals, transport drivers and workers organized by the Department of Environment at the Zilla Parishad Auditorium in Sylhet under the integrated and partnership project to control noise pollution, a press release said.

With Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Mosharraf Hossain in the chair, the programme was addressed, among others, by Additional DIG Nabila Zafrin Reena, Deputy Commissioner Md Mojibur Rahman and Director of Environment Department Md Emran Hossain.

Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar presented the main article and project-related documentaries.

The environment minister said: "We can control all the sources of noise pollution collectively. The government is implementing laws to control noise pollution. But this problem will not be solved permanently by prosecution and punishment."

In this case, the car should install the right kind of horn, the driver should stop blowing the horn unnecessarily, the owner of the car should prohibit the driver from blowing the horn unnecessarily and all the vehicles should obey the traffic law, he added.

The minister said that if construction works follow the rules and use modern technology, noise pollution will be reduced.

In this case, the use of loud microphones in social, political and religious events can be avoided, he said, adding: "Conscious and controlled behavior can free us from all the unwanted consequences of noise pollution."

He urged all to become aware of noise pollution and its control to protect themselves and the future generations.

The workshop detailed the penalties and fines under the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 and how victims can make telephone, verbal and written complaints to the police station, the release said.