By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Nearly 100 concerned citizens from across Dehradun participated in a public discussion on noise pollution at the Doon Library and Research Centre, focusing on citizens’ rights, legal remedies and use of 112 emergency service.
The session, titled “Noise Pollution: Know the Rules. Know Your Rights. Be Part of the Solution,” was organised by Uttarakhand Against Noise Pollution (UANP) in collaboration with the Doon Library and Research Centre.
The discussion covered the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, permissible noise limits, restrictions on loudspeakers and sound-amplifying equipment, and procedures for approaching the police and other authorities. Advocate Pranav Puri explained the legal framework and judicial directions, while also informing participants about using the 112 emergency service in cases of excessive noise.
Speakers stressed that prolonged exposure to excessive noise can disturb sleep, concentration and mental peace, with children, elderly people, patients, pregnant women and newborns particularly vulnerable. In Uttarakhand’s hill environment, loudspeakers, DJs and fireworks can also carry sound over considerable distances, affecting neighbouring communities as well as birds and wildlife.
UANP co-founder and social activist Anoop Nautiyal said the collective has submitted around 30 representations to the Chief Minister’s Office, Chief Secretary, Municipal Commissioner, Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board and district administrations and police authorities on noise-related concerns.
Innovation entrepreneur and UANP co-founder Nitin Ahlawat said the campaign was not against weddings, celebrations or businesses, but sought compliance with rules so that such activities did not cause prolonged disturbance to others.
Participants were advised to document violations by recording the date, time, location, duration and source of noise, along with timestamped photographs, videos and decibel readings wherever possible.
Several residents shared experiences of persistent noise near religious places, restaurants, homestays and other establishments. The organisers said UANP would next take its awareness campaign to schools and colleges and encourage neighbourhood-level citizen participation.
The programme was attended by Vijendra Rawat, Dr V.K. Dobhal, Jagdamba Prasad Maithani, Programme Officer Chandra Shekhar Tiwari, Librarian D.K. Pandey, Dr Arun Kuksal, Ajay Sharma, Sunder Singh Bisht, Himanshu Ahuja, Jagdish Babla, Alok Sareen, Hari Om Pali, along with members of the library team, readers, researchers and citizens from different parts of Dehradun