Stop Unnecessary Honking to Curb Noise Pollution: Adviser

Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting, and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday called for an immediate end to unnecessary honking to curb noise pollution, describing it as a long-standing habit that must be addressed through strict enforcement and public awareness.

She made the remarks while inaugurating a motor rally against honking, jointly organised by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) under the Integrated and Partnership-based Project for Noise Pollution Control.

The adviser said the Noise Pollution (Control) Regulations 2025 have already been gazetted, giving the DoE and police the authority to take legal action against noise polluters. She added that several areas in Dhaka have been declared silent zones and stressed the need for stronger monitoring to ensure compliance.

Identifying unnecessary honking and the use of fireworks as major sources of noise pollution, she said measures would be taken to ensure fireworks are used only at designated locations during Pahela Baishakh celebrations.

Carrying the slogan “No more noise pollution, let healthy life prevail”, the rally began at Manik Mia Avenue and concluded at the DoE office in Agargaon, passing through Farmgate, Karwan Bazar and Bijoy Sarani.

Senior officials present at the event included Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr Md Kamruzzaman, DMP Additional Commissioner Md Sarwar, DMP Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Md Anisur Rahman, and Project Director of the Noise Pollution Control Project Farid Ahmed.

Under the project, mobile courts and awareness campaigns were conducted at 10 key locations across Dhaka for 10 days from January 5 to tackle noise pollution. The initiative concluded with the motor rally, supported by student volunteers from Green Voice.