Combat noise pollution on New Year’s eve

In just two days, it will be the night to usher in the English New Year. While many people celebrate the occasion with joy, it becomes an extremely distressing time for some birds. This is due to the loud sounds of fireworks that mark the start of the New Year celebrations. The skies and air over Dhaka become filled with the deafening noise of fireworks. Over the past few years, it has been observed that many birds lose their lives due to the horrifying sounds of fireworks. The noise is not only terrifying for birds, but it also causes significant distress to many children and elderly people who are shaken by the fear on New Year’s Eve.

According to recent news reports on Saturday (28 December), noise pollution in Dhaka increases by 74 per cent during the celebration of the English New Year. At this time of year, air pollution is already at its peak, and the pollution level from fireworks reaches dangerous levels. The loud music, flying lanterns, and the sound of crackers during the celebration are beyond tolerable limits. Despite the bans on fireworks, crackers, and lanterns, these rules are not followed.

As a result, in the capital, over the last seven years, air pollution on the following day (1 January) increases by an average of 19 per cent compared to the previous day (31 December). Similarly, noise pollution increases by an average of 74 per cent within a day. Such incidents are unlikely to occur in Europe or America. So, why does this happen here? Although we now follow the Gregorian calendar for work, the English New Year is not a part of our cultural tradition. However, when celebrating our own Bengali New Year, we do not encounter such unpleasant events. It is a certain group of unruly young people in this country who are involved with fireworks.

Most of them are from wealthy families and have little connection with the cultural environment of our indigenous traditions. They mindlessly imitate European and American culture, but not the good aspects—only the unruly features. The lavish festivals they celebrate, with the enormous waste of money, bring no benefits, only harm. What could be the benefit of producing such immense noise? How much joy can this bring? It is nothing but a distorted form of expression of happiness.

Dhaka city is extremely densely populated, with buildings packed closely together. Due to fireworks, incidents of fires breaking out are not uncommon. Many people climb to their rooftops to celebrate with fireworks, but it often feels like those fireworks could land in the homes below. For three to four hours, the entire city is devoid of any normal environment. Research has shown that this terror stays in the minds of newborns and elderly people for a long time.

It is clear that moral appeals will not be effective in this case. Therefore, the administration must become extremely strict. No matter what, these excessively loud fireworks must be stopped. The source of these fireworks must be traced, and their supply chain needs to be blocked. Anyone found selling these fireworks must be punished and held accountable. This distorted social uproar, disguised as a celebration, should not be taken lightly, especially when it poses a threat to our environment and health.