Against the backdrop of noise pollution going unchecked along the coast, the Goa State Pollution Control Board has unveiled plans to set up online real-time noise monitoring equipment along 12 beach locations in South and North Goa. Popular party destinations like Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Anjuna, Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim in North Goa, and Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim and Agonda are on the list. Interestingly, the GSPCB’s decision to install machines at Morjim and Mandrem, which are notified as silent zones, is indicative of the fact that violations are indeed going unchecked.
The series of weekend dusk-to-dawn parties, also called rave parties, have gone unchecked even as the police bosses claim that these are indoor events and do not come under the purview of the noise pollution laws. Goa has been witnessing high-decibel parties on festive occasions and, more significantly, on extended weekends when desi tourists flock in large numbers.
This newspaper has even highlighted the party posters and exposed venues, dates, timings and even the performers, some of whom were roped in from various parts of the globe. That the party world is in sync with the system is a well-established fact given the High Court’s observation and strictures in this matter and against the background that the police are willing to crack down only based on a complaint.
This is not the first time the pollution control board is trying something new. Ironically, last year, the GSPCB had asked open-air party venues and other event organisers to install noise level monitoring systems and hook up to the centralised servers of the Board. The system never took off, and the GSPCB did not pursue the matter due to logistical and functional issues. And sound restrictions continue to be violated.
On the face of it, installing a monitoring mechanism is a good move because checks and balances on sound pollution are needed. The only question is whether such monitoring systems will effectively bring some order or discipline to the existing chaos. We ask this question because, historically, there has been a rift between government agencies, specifically the police and the GSPCB officials. While monitoring may be patchy, policing has been failing due to reasons best known to both, and the standoff between departments was very visible in the court of law.
No matter how good sound monitoring systems are, there is always a need to have police teams to back it up. Teams that believe in quick action and show sincerity while on the job. The sound violations are happening because there are gross compromises with beat policemen choosing to look the other way. The installation of monitoring machines, in such cases, would be an exercise in futility if attitudes towards violators don’t change.
The government must first bring about cohesiveness in teams involved in cracking down on sound pollution. There has to be a system to ensure that every complaint is acted upon and taken to its logical conclusion. Authorities need to be held accountable. The headline-grabbing move of installing sound-monitoring machines on beaches would otherwise be seen as another effort to pull the wool over the eyes of those who are fighting a relentless battle against the menace.
