In India Noise pollution is at historic high and festival are compounding the problem. India's
culture is the steeped in the tradition and festivals observing sacred occasion are an important part of Hindu Religion. The problem is festivals are loud. Noise at these event cab raise to more than 60 decibels above the legal limits and despite strict laws and increased public awareness of the health problem inverse the level of noise pollution.
Navratri is an important festival of workship and dance. In Sanskrit Navratri means”NINE NIGHTS” and that’s how long it lasts. But in cities like Mumbai no one in government is enforcing or even monitoring the noise levels. Infact it seems they are encouraging noise pollution. The Mumbai police, for instance announced the decision to relax at 10pm loudspeaker deadline till midnight on the last two days of the festival although they remained people that noise level should still remain within the prescribed norms as per the law. The result is noise levels were monitored from 90 to 117 decibels in 45 and 50 Decibels i.e the Silence Zone.
Indian Supreme court has ruled that noise levels should not exceed the maximum set by law. 55 Decibels during day time and 45 disables after 10.00pm even during festivals, politician from all parties places pressure on police force to relax the noise level and avoiding enforcing noise laws even in the residential areas during festivals.
During the research I came across with three Pandals and Five residents about this particular issue that what is their views on this particular issue. “They don’t care about patients and students” said one resident of Santkrupa Building Dombivali East who was interviewed in the midest of the celebration. “ We are not averse to celebrating any festivals but there should be some limits”.
Arvind Ravan from balraja mitra pandal stated that “In our Pandal when we organized Navratri function we don’t promote the music to play till midnight because we too think not to distribute the resident people. He also stated the we don’t like to play dj songs during the time of navratri only devotional songs we prefer to play that too in a low sound.
Navsai Mitra Mandal Sundar Sonar said that navaratri it’s a festival to enjoy not to troublesome one Dandiya and Garba is organized by us every year. He said Before 6 to 7 years back the pattern of music was totally different and was not that much distributing but today the music is something which disturb the mind but still people enjoy it so we do and we stop at a particular time i.e at 10.00.
Mr Yogesh Shelar Gajanan Mitra mandal said like India is a religious country there is a spiritual bonding so according to me there should not have a noise pollution created during that particular time he also stated that proper precaution should be taken during navaratri festival. Not only Noise pollution is the main cause of pollution but there are any other cause. People enjoy the festival but the misuse it in the name of god.
Even the other resident Francis Dsouza nearby added that expose to noise level are as high as those being recorded in Navaratri Celebration, even just for few hours, can also cause elevation in blood pressure increasing in raise of stress level etc.
Harshad Mhatre resident of rajaji path area who leaves in dombivali stated that “ During Navratri we have no ability to escape the noise like it is particularly harsh. When the sound exposed to noise level at festival locations cause to suffer from sleep disorders and his mother also added that children’s exposed to such high level sound show a marked inability to focus and are less able to keep up with school work.
“The effect of noise pollution is not only the problem of children but also for everyone” Akash Phakte Resident of Sudama Complex.
This is not an easy problem to address, as religious festival like Navratri are sacred to Indian’s Hindu Population and have been celebrated for centuries but the noise from firecrackers, Music, Loudspeakers, Crowed and Traffic is harming citizens. Some Indian Citizens are taking proactive measure to raise awareness to reduce the noise pollution particularly during many festivals.
The Conclusion popup after completing all the research and survey is that Noise pollution cannot be ignored and if we see the principles and research work of the World Health Organization. Noise pollution is one of the biggest and increasing crises all over the world especially in India as it has too many festivals and enjoyments that to with the factor of celebrating that in a social level which gives a chance to increase the context of noise pollution.