National workshop marks end of noise control project

NN Desk

The closing workshop of the Integrated and Partnership-Based Project for Noise Pollution Control, implemented by the Department of Environment (DoE), was held on Sunday at the Department’s auditorium in Dhaka.

The event was attended by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintoo, MP, as the chief guest. Addressing the workshop, the minister stressed the need to include noise pollution issues in the national education curriculum and called for collective efforts from all sectors of society to combat the growing environmental challenge.

The workshop was also attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md. Raihan Kawsar, Director (Operations) of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Mir Ahmed Tarikul Omar, Additional Secretary Dr. Nurun Nahar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Md. Anisur Rahman, and Additional Director General of the Department of Environment Md. Ziaul Haque. The session was chaired by DoE Director General Dr. Lutfor Rahman.

Speaking at the event, Secretary Raihan Kawsar highlighted the serious health risks posed by excessive noise and warned that noise pollution is causing significant harm not only to human health but also to biodiversity and wildlife.

DMP Additional Commissioner Md. Anisur Rahman revealed that since the introduction of the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2025, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has filed 29,478 cases and collected fines amounting to Tk 19.2 million as part of enforcement efforts.

Dr. Lutfor Rahman praised the project team for successfully implementing the initiative and urged citizens, institutions, and government agencies to work together to sustain progress in noise pollution control.

During the workshop, a nationwide survey report on noise levels across all 64 districts of Bangladesh was officially unveiled. Participants were also presented with a comprehensive overview of the project’s achievements from its inception to completion.

Launched in January 2020 and scheduled to conclude in June 2026, the project had a total allocation of Tk 548.49 million. It was designed around three key objectives: strengthening stakeholder capacity and public awareness for implementing the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006; collecting and preserving data on noise levels, sources, and impacts; and establishing effective control mechanisms through pilot initiatives.

Under the project, a total of 139,640 individuals received training, while 16 workshops were organized involving various stakeholders. Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes were conducted for officials from BRTA, the Islamic Foundation, and DMP. Dedicated sessions on noise pollution were also incorporated into BRTA’s driver training programmes.

The project observed International Noise Awareness Day annually across the country and carried out extensive public awareness campaigns. More than 7,600 minutes of awareness advertisements were broadcast on 23 television channels and two FM radio stations. Additionally, 300 colour advertisements were published in national newspapers, while social media platforms, news portals, and mobile messaging services were used to promote awareness on a wider scale.

An online quiz competition on noise pollution regulations attracted nearly 80,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide. As part of outreach efforts, 128 awareness billboards were installed across district towns, and 210 signboards were placed on major road dividers in Dhaka.

To strengthen monitoring and enforcement, the project procured 300 sound meters and distributed them among DoE divisional and district offices, BRTA, and DMP. A nationwide survey measuring noise levels in all 64 districts was completed, and a dedicated database was developed to support future policy planning and research.

One of the project’s notable achievements was the declaration of Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan as designated “Silent Zones.” The area stretching from the vicinity of the Low Meridian Hotel in front of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Uttara Scholastica Secondary School was also brought under the silent zone initiative.

To enforce these measures, coordinated drives were conducted in collaboration with DMP, BRTA, and Dhaka North and South City Corporations. More than 700 awareness campaigns were organized with the participation of housing societies, environmental organizations, educational institutions, and community clubs.

The project also facilitated 2,500 mobile court operations to strengthen legal enforcement. Furthermore, the outdated Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006 were revised and modernized, resulting in the formulation of the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2025.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Planning Commission, IMED, BRTA, DMP, the Islamic Foundation, representatives of housing societies, environmental groups, and journalists from print and electronic media attended the workshop.

The project concludes with a significant legacy of awareness, enforcement, research, and institutional collaboration, laying the groundwork for a quieter and healthier Bangladesh.