Some of Kabul’s residents are raising concerns about the rise of noise pollution in the city. They say that loud and disruptive sounds have increased in various parts of the city and have disturbed people’s peace, even inside their homes. According to these residents, the sound of vendors’ loudspeakers can be heard in some areas from the earliest hours of the morning and wakes them up. They also say that the sound of firecrackers continues late into the night on some evenings, evoking the sound of war and causing fear and disruption to people’s sleep, to the extent that the sound of firecrackers is sometimes heard at two or three in the morning as well.
Zahra (pseudonym), a resident of Sarai Shamali in Kabul, says that noise pollution across the city is worsening every day, and this situation disturbs people’s peace by creating unpleasant sounds.
This Kabul resident says: “Especially the loudspeakers that cart vendors have installed, the loud sound of vehicles, and unnecessary honking create unpleasant and disturbing sounds for people. I request that a more suitable alternative be found for the cart vendors’ loudspeakers so that they can continue their work while people’s peace is also preserved.”
Farooq (pseudonym), a resident of the Arzan Qimat area in Kabul, complains about the increase in noise pollution across the city.
He says unwanted and loud sounds have disturbed the peace of citizens and the environment.
This Kabul resident adds: “Lately, these sounds have created many problems for citizens. Some of these sounds disturb our sleep and cause daily fatigue. This situation can reduce a person’s mental and spiritual peace. The Taliban are obligated to take effective steps in this regard and prevent the increase of noise pollution.”
Nilofar (pseudonym), a resident of the Khairkhana area in Kabul, says that recently noise pollution has increased in various parts of the city, especially in markets and intersections. According to her, this situation has disturbed people’s peace even in their own homes.
This Khairkhana resident says: “We do not have peace even in our own homes. In the mornings we wake up to the sound of vendors’ loudspeakers. Every moment there is a sound that destroys our concentration and disturbs our peace. Although noise pollution, unlike air pollution, cannot be seen, it affects people’s sleep, concentration, and peace.”
Nilofar adds: “Peace and relative silence are the right and need of every human being in life, but unfortunately this problem has increased significantly. Families with sick members are affected more by noise pollution, and these sounds cause them distress.”
Zalmai (pseudonym), a resident of the Kote Sangi area in Kabul, complains about the increase in disturbing sounds across the city. He says the sound of cars, motorcycles, carts, and vendors’ loudspeakers in many of Kabul’s streets and alleys has disturbed people’s peace.
This Kabul resident says: “Personally, due to noise pollution, I get a headache almost every night after returning from work. When we wait for a vehicle at the station, the various loud sounds increase our fatigue.”
Zalmai adds: “On the other hand, the sound of firecrackers is also similar to the sound of war. Sometimes we are asleep and wake up startled by the sound of a firecracker. Even at two or three in the morning, firecrackers go off, but the Taliban pay no attention to this matter.”
Meanwhile, Sayed Shah Gauharpour, an environmental expert, says that noise pollution has adverse consequences and destructive effects on human life. According to him, noise pollution can negatively affect various aspects of people’s daily lives.
This environmental expert says: “One of the most common consequences of noise pollution is hearing loss and, in severe cases, deafness. Exposure to loud sounds can increase stress and irritability and disturb a person’s peace. Noise pollution also affects people’s sleep and mental health and, in severe cases, can have adverse consequences for pregnant women as well.”
This comes as residents of the Chihilsitoon Wazirabad area in Kabul had recently complained about the activities of mineral water production companies in the area, saying that these companies have caused noise pollution and disturbance to the people.
These residents, speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, said that several mineral water production companies operate in the Chihilsitoon Wazirabad area, and according to them, some of these operations are carried out under different names.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
باشندهگان کابل: آلودهگی صوتی آرامش و خواب مردم را مختل کرده است
