Press Release On N O I S E - Note on Order of 19 December 2003
Friends in the Press and TV Media
In response to the High Court Order of 25 September 2003 (see webpage http://personal.vsnl.com/aspirations/Noise_Order_25_September_2003.html ), a review petition was filed by Government of Maharashtra and it was heard on 19 December 2003. I was very much present at the hearing as a concerned citizen. The copy of the order was released only on Monday 22 December 2003. Unfortunately, quite a few newspapers who did report on the matter, did so on 20th itself without reading the order. Consequently they seem to have mis-reported the order. They have, as I can understand, stated what Mr. Vahanavati, the AG of GoM had said in the court as part of GoM's petition and perhaps in a separate informal statements uttered to the press by the AG on 19th itself.
It was felt that the order needed to be read and understood properly and hence the same has been put up on the website http://personal.vsnl.com/aspirations/Noise_Order_19_December_2003.html for reference. The media may also cover it appropriately else there will be unabated increase in noise from the educational institutions and religious places disregarding even the basics of keeping the decibel levels under control.
My understanding of the Order matches with what the respondents of the Review Petition (and the Petitioners of the Original Petition) have stated in their Note on the 19 December 2003 Order.
I reproduce the note for your information and necessary action.
Regards
Sudhir Badami
Concerned Citizen's Forum In India
mailto:CCFII-owner@yahoogroups.comMobile 98 216 85072 (email contact prefered)
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P R E S S R E L E A S E
Note on 19 December Order
The order passed by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court on 19 December re iterates and clarifies the earlier order of 25 September 2003 banning the use of loudspeakers in silence zones.
Silence Zones are defined as “an area comprising not less than hundred metres around” hospitals, educational institutions, courts, religious places or any other area which is declared as such by the competent authority”. In such areas, playing of any music or using of any sound amplifiers is totally prohibited.
Within the various institutions also, general provisions laid down in Rule 5 which place restrictions on the use of loudspeakers/ public address systems would apply.
This would mean that although events such as sports days may be conducted by the institution, any music or sound amplification system would have to be used in a manner which would conform with the maximum decibel levels for silence zones when measured at the perimeter of the institution (50db and 40db before and after 10pm). When read with the earlier order of 25 September, it would be the responsibility of the officer granting permission to ensure this.
The purpose of the Silence Zones is dual: to protect the institution from noise coming in from the outside, and to protect the surrounding area outside from noise emanating from the institution.
Our volunteers have been measuring decibel levels throughout the city of Bombay since Ganpati. At the present time, we will monitor decibel levels at institutions surrounded by Silence Zones for compliance with maximum permissible decibel levels, including schools, colleges, religious institutions, courts etc.
Dr Yeshwant Oke
Dr P N Rao
Sumaira Abdulali
Bombay Environmental Action Group==============================================================