I wish to bring to public attention the persistent and rising issue of noise pollution in the coastal villages of North Goa ” particularly Candolim, Calangute, Anjuna, Mandrem, Morjim, Ashwem, and Arambol. These areas have been plagued by consistent noise-related disturbances due to unchecked tourism activities, commercial establishments, beach parties, unregulated sound systems, and the bursting of loud firecrackers. This calls for community-level enforcement mechanisms to ensure effective compliance with noise pollution norms. In Desmond Alvares v. State of Goa, the Bombay High Court directed that village panchayats must ensure that all commercial establishments ” including bars, restaurants, and event venues, particularly those with open-air facilities ” are registered with the Panchayat and possess the necessary permissions, such as: a) consent from the Goa State Pollution Control Board under the Air Act, 1981 and Water Act, 1974 b) permission to play amplified music from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate under the Noise Rules. In view of the above, it is proposed that the Sarpanch of each of the aforementioned coastal villages be designated as a local authority under the Noise Pollution Rules by the District Administration.
