Dhaka, the most noise polluted city globally: UNEP

Context

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, has been ranked as the most noise polluted city globally, according to the recently released ‘Annual Frontier Report, 2022’.

Key-highlights of the findings

• A total of 61 cities from around the world have been ranked in the report, out of which 13 cities are from South Asia, while 5 among them are from India.
• Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad came second in the list with noise pollution of 114 decibels. 
  • The other four most noise polluted cities in India in the list are Kolkata (89 dB), Asansol (89 dB), Jaipur (84 dB), and Delhi (83 dB).
• Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan is third, with maximum noise pollution of 105 dB.
• The noise pollution figures given in the report relate to daytime traffic or vehicles.
• Quietest city: The quietest cities in the world are Irbrid at 60 dB, Lyon at 69 dB, Madrid at 69 dB, Stockholm at 70 dB, and Belgrade at 70 dB.

What is Noise Pollution?

• Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the propagation of noise with ranging impacts on the activity of human or animal life, most of them harmful to a degree.
• It is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or other living organisms.
• The source of outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines, transport, and propagation systems.
• Poor urban planning may give rise to noise disintegration or pollution, side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential areas.
• Some of the main sources of noise in residential areas include loud music, transportation (traffic, rail, airplanes, etc.), maintenance, construction, electrical generators, wind turbines, explosions, and people etc.