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Journalism of Courage
As Mumbai celebrated Diwali last week, concerns over rising pollution levels once again took the centre stage. In this backdrop, Manish Pathak speaks with environmentalist Sumaira Abdulali, founder of Awaaz Foundation, about the twin threats of noise and air pollution to public health. Excerpts from the interview:
Sumaira Abdulali: Luckily, this year, it rained both during the Ganpati festival as well as Diwali. Owing to the showers, air pollution went down, although noise pollution continued unabated. It was observed that crackers were bursting well beyond the permissible time limit of 10 pm, especially in the residential areas. As for air quality, it started to worsen as soon as Diwali started, but air pollution got suppressed to some extent owing to the rain. However, unseasonal rains cannot be counted as mitigating measures. There has to be some action from the government to reduce pollution levels.
Abdulali: Every year, there is a definite spike in the pollution level. Since 2019, we have been testing the chemical contents of the firecrackers and sharing them with the government to show that not only do they contribute to a spike in pollution, but they also contain chemicals that are hazardous. This year, too, tests were conducted, but nothing happened from the government side.
This year, normal crackers are being sold in many places. Also, some green cracker boxes do not even contain QR codes. We bought 25 different varieties of firecrackers, and a report on the findings has been sent to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). They need to say what percentage of what chemical is allowed, but they haven’t responded yet.
Abdulali: The authorities, like the police, can take action and stop people who are violating the norms, but they are not doing their jobs. For example, soon after the Supreme Court and high court orders on noise pollution, the police stopped people who were violating the norms. Here, it clearly shows that the police can do it, but they are choosing not to take action against the violators, because there is political support for the people to go on bursting crackers. There is not a single awareness message from the government on using only green crackers or mentioning the permissible time limit (10 pm) to burst crackers. The NGOs and citizens cannot help unless there is political will to implement the norms. Noise and air pollution have adverse effects, and it clearly shows that the authorities are not concerned about public health.
Abdulali: We already have the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. The government has come up with various policies, but implementation is missing. There is no doubt that there has been some success, like the noise level of crackers has come down compared to earlier. But the issue is how much we are exposed to the sound level if someone is bursting crackers in a residential area. The rule is very clear that no noise-making equipment, including firecrackers, can be used after 10 pm. I appreciate the sentiments and religious practices of people. If there is any awareness, then it is among very few people. Some people are not following the norms, and the police are not taking action.
Abdulali: Noise from reconstruction is affecting the health and sleep of residents all over Mumbai, but it is especially acute in localities like Bandra and Khar, where several buildings in a small area are being reconstructed simultaneously. Some of the loudest noises are made during the cleaning of the drill during piling work, often exceeding 105 decibels. The BMC should mandate alternative cleaning methods. Moreover, noise barriers should be made compulsory, and noise levels should be displayed outside all construction sites.
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