Bangladesh observes International Noise Awareness Day
Since 1996, the last Wednesday of April has been observed as International Noise Awareness Day across the globe. In Bangladesh, the day has been celebrated since 2003. This year, the Department of Environment (DoE), under its Integrated and Partnership-Based Project for Noise Pollution Control, officially marked the day on 30 April.
A large rally and public gathering were held at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, drawing participation from 27 organisations, including Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), BELA, CAPS, Green Voice, Green Savers, YouthNet Global, Gulshan Society, Dhanmondi Society, Bangladesh Scouts, and Bangladesh Girls Guide. Around 500 representatives took part in the event.
The main ceremony was inaugurated at 10:00am on the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building by Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who served as the chief guest.
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In his remarks, Shafiullah termed noise pollution a "silent killer" and emphasised the need for awareness and responsibility at all levels—individual, institutional, and state—to build a healthy, peaceful, and sustainable Bangladesh.
Farid Ahmed, Director of the DoE's Dhaka Metropolitan Office and Project Director of the noise pollution control initiative, delivered the welcome address. He, along with other speakers, stressed the importance of public awareness and proper enforcement of noise control laws.
Among others, Masud Iqbal Md Shamim, Director of Environmental Clearance at DoE; Abul Kalam Azad, Director of DoE Dhaka Region; Alamgir Kabir, General Secretary of BAPA; Dr Kamruzzaman Majumdar, Chairman of CAPS; Gaus Piari, Director of Work for a Better Bangladesh; and Tarek Rahman, Environmental Affairs Secretary of Dhanmondi Society, also spoke at the event.
In observance of the day, rallies and discussion sessions were also held at the divisional level with participation from diverse occupational groups. Additionally, mobile courts were conducted across the country with support from district administrations to monitor and control noise pollution.
To further raise awareness, colour advertisements highlighting the significance of the day were published in leading Bengali and English national dailies. The DoE also sent SMS alerts to 500,000 mobile users with the message: "Noise pollution is a health hazard. Let's all be aware – Department of Environment."
