Pollution and its Kind

Introduction:
‘Man is both creator and moulder of his environment, which gives him physical
sustenance and affords him the opportunity of intellectual, moral, social and
spiritual growth.
In the long and tortuous evolution of the human race on this planet, a stage has been
reached when, through the rapid acceleration of science and technology, man has
acquired the power to transform his environment in countless ways and on an
unprecedented scale.’
Thus, the natural environment, i.e. air, water, land, trees, plants, animals, micro-
organisms, rivers, lakes, mountains, etc., is adversely affected by man-made
environment, by scientific and technological advancements through various
inventions and discoveries. Industries, particularly chemical industries, development
in the field of atomic energy, concrete jungles, excessive use of fossil fuel and rise in
quality and standard of life resulting in exponential growth of population has badly
affected the natural environment.
Now, a point has been reached in history when we must shape our actions throughout
the world with a more prudent care for their environmental consequences. Through
ignorance and indifference we can do massive and irreversible harm to the earthly
environment on which our life and well-being depend. To defend and improve
the human environment for present and future generations has become an imperative
goal for mankind - a goal to be pursued together with, and in harmony with, the
established and fundamental goals of peace and of worldwide economic and social
development.
Meaning and Definition of Environment:
The term environment is derived from a French word ‘Environia” which means to
surround. In other words environment can be defined as the sum total of all the living
and non-living things and their effects that influence human life.
In layman’s words, environment refers to the physical elements. It includes the land,
water and air. It is the living ecosystem that maintains the existence of human life.
Destruction of the environment can lead to various calamities. In order to prevent
such disaster or calamities, laws are implemented to protect the environment for the
livelihood of present and future generations
The environment is everything that surrounds us. It is the surrounding conditions,
influences, or forces, by which living forms are influenced and modified in their
growth and development. The presence of offensive, but not necessarily infectious,
matter in the environment is called Environmental Pollution. For example, pollution
may be by specific organic or inorganic chemicals, by physical agents such as dust,
volcanic fallout, smoke, automobile fumes, radioactive material and animal feces and
urine.

Environmental Protection Act, 1986:-

Section 2(a) states that environment includes water, air and land and the inter-
relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings,
other living creatures, plants and property.

Causes of pollution and environmental degradation are of two types:

1. Natural causes
2. Man-made causes

Natural Causes
Drought, flood, cyclone, earthquake, molten lava of volcano, hurricane, twister,
torrents, epidemic are the main natural causes / factors which cause
environmental pollution. Since they are agents of nature and man has no control
over them, they are known as natural causes.

Man-Made Causes
There are four main man-made causes:
1. Population growth
2. Poverty
3. Urbanization
4. Industrialization
Population Growth
‘The Earth is finite and world population is infinite’. Every new face consumes lots of
natural and non-natural products, which are also ultimately provided after exploiting
natural resources. Thus, every birth increases the consumption of natural resources. But
it is true that ‘a finite world can support only a finite population.’ In other words natural
resources shrink as people multiply. The world’s population has grown almost
fivefold from 1.17 billion to 5.1 billion in this century.
The rise in urban population is at a very high rate. This indicates an increasing
demand for fuel, food, water, pollution - free air, space to live in and healthy
conditions of life. Increasing population of urban areas has created the problem
of land pollution, air pollution, water pollution, unsanitary conditions, slums - all
cumulatively adversely affecting the quality of life. This is why Kolkata and Delhi
are rated as ‘choked cities’.
The Supreme Court had to order shifting of polluting industries from Delhi and not to
ply vehicles which are more than 15 years old. Continuous rise in population has
enhanced the density of population in various areas which has also created various
social, physical and psychological problems for the people. Space required for the
population has also resulted in deforestation and disappearance of vegetation cover,
which is only 13% of the total area against 33% which is very essential. Increasing
population also results in poverty which is also a cause of pollution. Daily increase in
population means more coal, diesel, petrol to burn, more iron and other metals for daily
use, more means of transportation creating air pollution, more clothes to put on which
also use up natural resources, more furniture and paper to use which in turn result in
cutting of more space for trees, more space to live in, more water to drink and for
agricultural purposes. As a matter of fact increased population of India has caused
housing problems, shortage of food and transportation, unsanitary conditions, loss
of nutritious food.
All this cumulatively affects the quality of life which is implicit in the Right to Life
in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
Thus, all this makes an impact on the human environment. For example, if we
want to increase food production, pesticides will be used which may yield more
production but cause chemical pollution of land, water and air and hazardous
waste. Disappearance of vegetation cover has also reduced the animal kingdom.
It is also to be noted that ‘sustainable development is closely linked to the dynamics
of population growth’.

Poverty
Poverty contributes equally to both population growth and environmental
pollution. ‘Poverty’ has been defined as ‘the inability of an individual or household
to attain a minimal standard of living.’ The poor usually have low life expectancy,
high infant mortality, higher incidence of disablement and higher consumption of
natural resources in the form of food, fodder and fuel. Unhygienic and unsanitary
conditions are another by-product of poverty affecting human health. Poverty reduces
people’s capacity to use resources in a sustainable manner, it intensifies pressure on the
environment.
Sadly, the impoverishment of the poor is accompanied by simultaneous and
systematic erosion of the basic means of their subsistence, the environment, with its
life-supporting natural resources-land, water and forest. It has now aptly been observed
that we need no magnifying glasses to see how inextricably the poor and poverty are
linked to the environment. Planned and unbridled destruction of forests has affected
the poor, nomadic groups and tribes in forests and who fulfill their fundamental needs
from the forest and its products. Thus, if trees disappear, rains will be scarce, water
resources will dry up, water table would go down-food, fodder, fuel will not be
available, and, lastly, destruction of vegetation means increased chances of drought
and dry season. It may be slow but definite destruction of human environment,
because poor in rural areas totally depend upon forests and their products.
In urban areas, problems of slums, pavement dwelling, unsanitary conditions,
commotion, shortage of food, increased demand of coal, firewood and kerosene, shelter
and energy are intimately connected with poverty leading to environmental
degradation and human health problems. Therefore, the need of the times is some
strategy including legal strategy to contain the problem of poverty and to have
sustainable development and healthy environment.
In the case of Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corpn., the Supreme Court
observed that before pavement dwellers and slum dwellers are evicted they must be
provided alternative sites with basic amenities like water, community latrines, paved
streets and lighting as to guarantee wholesome environment under the expanded
horizon of the right to life.

Urbanization
Rapid and unplanned urbanization had also contributed to environmental pollution
and degradation of human environment. This is the result of rapid population growth
and unending migration of the poor from small towns and villages to urban centres.
Now more than one-fifth population of the nation lives in urban areas. Therefore,
urban population of metropolitan cities is increasing day by day. Slums are a major
problem of big cities and significant contributors to environmental degradation.
The case of L.K. Koolwal v. State of Rajasthan highlighted the insanitary
condition prevailing in Jaipur. The Court gave six months time to clean up the city as it
was the primary, mandatory and obligatory duty of the Municipality to clean the city
and remove filth. The plea of poor finance and paucity of staff cannot be the reason
for non-performance of the statutory duty. It was observed by the Court that
keeping the city unclean and non-removal of filth amounts to violation of Right to Life
under Article 21 as it amounts to slow poisoning and reducing the life of the citizen
because of the hazard created.

Industrialization
Industry is the axis to gear up the economy of a modern society - known as
the indispensable motor of growth and development. On the other side, it has been
identified as a major source of environmental degradation and pollution. Therefore,
‘development without destruction’ and ‘sustainable development’ are the crying needs
of the day. ‘The problem we face is how to strike a balance between the benefits
of rising standard of living, and its cost in terms of deterioration of the physical
environment and quality of life. In the past the danger of polluting air, water and wind
was not fully recognized, but now there is no doubt that it is a matter of great concern.’
The famous Minamata disease in Japan (1956), the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984), the
Hiroshima bombing of 1945 have all shown that industrialization has posed a serious
threat not only to human beings but also to animals, aquatic life and vegetation
cover. On one hand industrialization has helped us to raise the standard and
quality of life, on the other it has deteriorated the environment. Thus, pollutants
enter the environment through human activity. Acid Rain is one of the worst possible
forms of pollution which is a result of industrialization.
Industries degrade the environment and pollute it in the following ways:
1. Use of natural resources by industries destroys nature and affects the natural
environment. The great demand and need of industries has resulted in
overexploitation and stress on natural resources.
2. Residues of industries known as effluents are released in water and land without any
treatment which pollutes the water and land, affecting the aquatic life and
underground water.
 3. Fossil fuel used by industries like coal, kerosene, diesel and atomic energy
also pollutes the air in the form of smoke and radioactive particles.
4. Noise, also a major by-product of industries and industrial products, causes
noise pollution.
5. Industrial wastes - particularly hazardous waste and radioactive waste - have
also become a major environmental pollution problem.

Thus, industrial activity produces four kinds of stresses on the environment. •

entrophic, • exploitative, • disruptive substance • hazardous material, like lead,
mercury, chromium, cadmium, and others. The use of CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon)
by industries and industrial products has also caused global warming and
depletion of ozone layer. All this cumulatively polluted the environment to a
dangerous level. Conclusion

Water Pollution:
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies with man-made affluents,
chemicals, waste, etc. Such disposal is harmful for humans and the living organisms in
such water-bodies. There are instances of where the court has stopped an industry from
functioning due to improper disposable of waste in the locality. The effect of water
pollution often leads to death, skin rashes, pinkeye, respiratory infections, tuberculosis,
etc. Three-fourth of the Earth is covered with water. But less than 1% of the earth’s
freshwater is accessible to us.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

Section 2 (e) of the Act defines what is pollution, according to Section 2(e) pollution
means any contamination of water or alteration of the physical, chemical and biological
properties of water or disposing of any sewage waste in water which is likely to cause
nuisance or renders such water to be harmful to public health or safety or to domestic,
industrial or other legitimate use or harmful to the life and health of the animals and
aquatic plants.

 Water pollution is defined as the “introduction or existence of undesirable substances

in water, encompassing organic, inorganic, biological, radiological, or thermal
 elements, leading to a deterioration in water quality to the extent that it becomes
unsuitable for various purposes.”
 Natural causes of water pollution involve soil erosion, mineral leaching from rocks
(due to both natural solubility and acidity induced by acid rain), and the decomposition
of organic matter.
 Point source pollution arises when contaminants are released from a specific location,
such as a drain pipe discharging industrial effluents directly into a water body.
 On the contrary, non-point sources involve the discharge of pollutants from diffuse
origins or a larger area, including runoff from agricultural fields, grazing lands,
construction sites, and abandoned mines and pits, among others.
 Water pollution extends beyond surface water and has affected groundwater, seas, and
oceans as well.

CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION

Sewage Water
Sewage water incorporates discharges from residential and commercial establishments,
containing human and animal excreta, food remnants, cleaning agents, detergents, and various
contaminants. Household and hospital sewage can harbor numerous pathogenic
microorganisms.
Industrial Wastes
Wastewater released by industries, such as petroleum, paper manufacturing, metal
extraction and processing, and chemical manufacturing, often contains toxic substances,
notably heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, copper, lead, and arsenic. Additionally, various
organic compounds contribute to the pollution from industrial discharges.
Agricultural Factors
Agricultural runoff introduces dissolved salts like nitrates, phosphates, and ammonia,
along with other nutrients and toxic metal ions and organic compounds. Fertilizers, rich in plant
nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, may leach into groundwater or mix with
surface water. Pesticides, including chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphates, pose a
threat, and runoff from poultry farms, piggeries, and slaughterhouses adds to water pollution.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
The presence of organic and inorganic wastes diminishes the dissolved oxygen content
in water. Water with DO content less than 8.0 mg/L is considered contaminated, and levels
below 4.0 mg/L are indicative of high pollution. Adequate DO content is vital for the survival
of aquatic organisms, influenced by factors like surface turbulence, photosynthetic activity,
organismal oxygen consumption, and organic matter decomposition.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) measures organic wastewater pollution,
representing the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by bacteria to decompose organic waste.
It is expressed in milligrams per liter of water, and higher BOD values suggest low DO content.
However, BOD has limitations as it focuses on biodegradable materials.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
COD is a more comprehensive method for measuring pollution load, assessing the
oxygen required to oxidize both organic and inorganic compounds in water samples, expressed
in parts per million.
Thermal and Radiation Pollution
Thermal pollution arises from the discharge of hot water into water bodies by thermal
and nuclear power plants and other industries. This elevates water temperature, decreasing
dissolved oxygen and threatening aquatic life. Effective mitigation involves cooling hot water
in ponds before release.
Nuclear accidents, especially near water bodies, pose the risk of radiation leakage into
the environment. This radiation exposure can lead to DNA mutations in marine organisms,
potentially causing cancer. Thyroid cancer risks arise from the absorption of radioactive iodine
by the thyroid gland.
Marine Pollution
Oceans receive pollutants from natural and human-made sources, including coastal
cities’ sewage, garbage, and pollutants discharged during activities like navigation, offshore oil
mining, and oil spills. This contamination affects marine ecosystems, posing threats to aquatic
life and biodiversity.
EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION
On Human Health
 Domestic and hospital sewage, if untreated, can lead to severe waterborne diseases like
typhoid and cholera due to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Industrial
wastewater, containing harmful metals such as lead, zinc, arsenic, copper, mercury, and
cadmium, poses health risks to humans.
 Arsenic accumulation from polluted water can result in skin lesions and, ultimately,
skin cancer.
 Bacterial transformation of mercury compounds produces toxic methylmercury,
causing neurological issues.
 Mercury pollution, as seen in Minamata disease, adversely affects human health.
 Lead exposure leads to poisoning, causing various organ and tissue damage.
 Cadmium-contaminated water can result in itai itai disease and increase the risk of lung
and liver cancer.
Economic Slowdown
 Projected water stress for half the global population by 2030 could hinder economic
growth.
 A scarcity of freshwater may limit the production of water-intensive goods like
automobiles, food, and clothing, impacting the overall economy.
On the Environment
 Biodegradation of organic matter in sewage waste consumes oxygen, depleting levels
in water bodies and causing harm to aquatic life.
 High nutrient levels in water can lead to algal blooms, accelerating the aging of lakes.
Some toxic substances, like mercury and DDT, can be magnified in the aquatic food
chain, disrupting ecosystems.
 DDT, in particular, affects bird populations through eggshell thinning.
On Aquatic Ecosystem
 Polluted water diminishes dissolved oxygen, leading to the death of sensitive
organisms.
 Tolerant species may survive in highly polluted water, serving as indicators of water
pollution. Biocides, PCBs, and heavy metals directly harm aquatic organisms.
 Eutrophication, accelerated by human activities, alters nutrient levels in lakes,
impacting their classification.
 Algal blooms contribute to oxygen depletion, harming primary consumers like small
fish. Algal blooms, often red or brown, can lead to coral reef destruction.
Marine Pollution
 Chemicals discharged into the ocean cause marine pollution, impacting plankton and
benthos animals.
 Toxins concentrated in food chains can affect livestock and animal husbandry.
International efforts, such as the Convention on the Dumping of Wastes at Sea and the
United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), aim to regulate and reduce
marine pollution globally.
 CONTROL MEASURES OF WATER POLLUTION
Pollution Prevention and Water Conservation Measures
 Sewage and Industrial Effluent Treatment:
 All sewage water and industrial effluents should undergo proper treatment
before being released into water bodies.
 Cooling of Hot Water:
 Hot water discharged from power plants should be cooled before release to
prevent thermal pollution in receiving water bodies.
 Prohibition of Domestic Cleaning in Water Sources:
 Domestic cleaning activities should be prohibited in water sources like tanks,
streams, and rivers that supply drinking water.
 Reduced Fertilizer and Pesticide Use:
 Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides should be avoided to prevent
nutrient runoff and chemical contamination of water bodies.
 Promotion of Organic Farming:
 Encourage organic farming practices and the effective use of animal waste as
fertilizer to minimize chemical inputs.
 Utilization of Water Hyacinth:
 Water hyacinth, an aquatic weed, can be employed to purify water by
extracting toxic materials and heavy metals.
 Oil Spill Cleanup Techniques:
 Employ various methods like bregoli (a byproduct of the paper industry
resembling sawdust), oil zappers, and microorganisms for effective cleanup of
oil spills in water.
 Chemical Treatment Methods:
 Utilize chemical methods such as precipitation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis,
and coagulation to control and treat water pollution.
 Individual Conservation Efforts:
 Promote individual actions such as reusing, reducing, and recycling to
contribute towards mitigating the impacts of water pollution.
 National Conservation Initiatives:
 Implement national conservation programs like the National Lake
Conservation Plan (NLCP) and the National Wetland Conservation
 Programme (NWCP) for the conservation and management of identified lakes
and wetlands.
 Integrated Approach – NPCA:
 Support the integrated scheme of the National Plan for Conservation of
Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), which combines various conservation activities,
including wastewater interception, diversion, treatment, pollution abatement,
lake beautification, and biodiversity management.

Air Pollution:
“Air pollution is the release of pollutants such as gases, particles, biological molecules,
etc. in to the air that is harmful to human health and the environment.”
In other words, it refers to the contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke
which affect biotic and abiotic things. It is necessary to maintain the correct amount of gases
present in the atmosphere such as 78% of nitrogen, 21% of oxygen and the remaining is other
gases. When there is an increase of other gases in the atmosphere it can result in global
warming, ozone layer depletion, cancer diseases, breathing issues, skin problems, acid rains,
asthma, etc.
For example: Delhi is the existing example of air pollution. It causes a new weather in
Delhi know as smog which is a mixture of smoke (emitted from vehicles, factories and other
sources) and fog. It causes serious health issues for the people living there.

Section 2(a) defines ‘air pollutant’ as any solid, liquid or gaseous substance that may
be harming or injuring the environment, humans, other living creatures, plants or even
property. Through the 1987 Amendment, noise was also included in the list of
substances that are deemed to be harmful to the environment. Therefore, this Act also
provides for the regulation of noise pollution.
Section 2(b) defines ‘air pollution’ as the presence of any air pollutant in the
atmosphere.

Land Pollution
The basic definition of land pollution is the destruction and contamination of the land through
the direct and indirect actions of humans. The pollution results in changes to the land, such as
soil erosion. Some of the changes are irreversible, while others are not. This pollution is on-
process and the effects such pollution will be evident at an unexpected situation. The land is
abused and deteriorating constantly. This is caused by the solid wastes, untreated chemical
affluents, etc. In other words, it is the degradation or destruction of the soil and groundwater.
Causes of Land Pollution
1. Deforestation and soil erosion
When forests are cleared for development and to meet the demand for wood supply, the soil is
loosened in the process. Without the protection of the trees, the land becomes barren over time
and starts to erode.
2. Agricultural chemicals
Part of the farming process often involves the use of harmful pesticides and insecticides to
protect crops. However, the chemicals can cause the land to become barren. The once-fertile
soil is then more susceptible to environmental elements, such as the wind.
3. Industrialization
The Industrial Revolution may have resulted in significant positive changes to the economy
and society, but it also led to significant pollution of the land. Through unsafe disposal practices
for chemicals used in manufacturing, poor regulation, and the overwhelming number of
industries and factories that are polluting the land daily, industrialization has become one of
the main contributors to the pollution problem.
4. Mining
The mining process can lead to the creation of large open spaces beneath the surface of the
earth. This can result in the land caving in, which compromises the integrity of the land. Mining
also results in harmful chemicals, such as uranium, being disturbed and released into the
environment.
5. Landfills
The garbage found at landfills is filled with toxins that eventually seep into the earth. During
rains, the toxins are washed into other areas and the pollution is spread. As the population
grows, the amount of garbage filling landfills also grows.
6. Human sewage
Untreated human waste can produce toxic gases that can seep into the ground. As with air
pollution, the soil quality is negatively impacted, and land nearby can be contaminated. In
addition to this, the probability of human illnesses occurring increases.

Effects of Land Pollution

The contamination of the land has far-reaching consequences that can be catastrophic for water,
soil, and animals. There are several possible consequences of land pollution to the environment
and animals, including these top five:

1. Ground water poisoning

Depending on the soil and whether the chemicals were improperly disposed of on the land, the
chemicals could end up in the ground water. The process is known as leaching. It can occur on
farms, industrial sites, and landfills.
2. Water nutrient enrichment
Chemicals, such as nitrogen, are used frequently on farms. Only a small portion of the nutrients
end up benefitting the crops. The remainder usually ends up in water that is populated by fish,
algae, and other lifeforms. The nutrient-heavy water saps up most of the oxygen in the water,
which leaves little for fish and other life. When this happens, the water is unable to support
most lifeforms. For more information on water polution, click here.
3. Loss of topsoil
As chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used to maintain crops, the topsoil’s composition
becomes altered. The soil becomes more susceptible to harmful fungus species and begins to
erode. It is important to conserve our soil to maximize land productivity.
4. Shifting habitat
As deforestation and soil erosion progress, animals are forced to move to find shelter and food.
For some animals, the change is too traumatic, and this has led to some dying. As a result, some
species are at a greater risk of extinction.
5. Increased risk of wildfires
The dry conditions created by pollutants in the soil help to create the perfect environment for
wildfires. The fires can grow quickly because of the dry conditions and widening area of
polluted land.
Effects of Land Pollution on Humans
The impact of land pollution is not limited just to the earth and animals. Humans can also
experience negative consequences that can influence quality of life and health.
Some of the potential consequences include birth defects, the development of breathing
disorders, skin diseases, and cancer. Most of these develop after exposure to waste from water
poisoning and soil contamination.
Land pollution has also been linked to developmental deficits in children. Chemicals that are
commonly found in contaminated soil and water, such as lead, have can impact a child’s
cognitive development even if the exposure is very low.

Noise Pollution:
Noise can be defined as unwanted or undesired sound. Noise is non-harmonious and but even
music played loudly can also become noise.
Causes of Noise Pollution:
Noise pollution is generally a by-product of action. Noise pollution is a consequential event
so noise pollution definitely has a source.
Sources Of Noise Pollution.
Traffic Noise- Except for the new generations of electric cars and bikes almost all the vehicles
release a high amount of noise. India is already the second most populous country in the world
and a lot of people own either a four-wheeler or a two-wheeler vehicle or both. A normal car
releases around 85 dB of noise and a bike releases around 90 dB of noise. Additionally, Indians
have a bad habit of honking the horn of their vehicles which additionally causes much more
noise pollution.
Air-Craft Noise- Passenger planes, cargo planes, low flying military aircraft all of them
combine together to cause more noise pollution. Initially, passenger planes were out of the
picture but with new airports building near housing societies, the passenger planes are causing
more problems than ever.
Noise due to commercial and industrial activities- Globalisation and Modernisation of India
has led to an emphatic increase in a number of large industries and low-level industries. Most
of the industries require heavy machinery to work and function. Even though industries do not
affect communities that much but the noise pollution.
Noise from social gathering or event- Parties, religious ceremonies, clubs etc they all fall
under the category of social gathering or event. Even such social gatherings also create quite a
nuisance and cause a considerable amount of noise pollution.
Household noise- The scope of noises from household sources are too large but some typical
examples would be barking of pet dogs, playing loud music at your house, usage of various
kitchen appliances and more. Even such actions cause noise pollution in the environment.
Harmful effects of noise pollution
Whatever the source may be for noise pollution but the fact is noise pollution is harmful to
human beings, animals and the environment as a whole. Initially, noise pollution was not
evident and it did not cause much concern but in the last century noise pollution has been
pervasive and intense. The harmful effects of noise pollution are as follows:
1. Lack of concentration- Noise pollution results in lack of concentration in many
individuals. If a work environment is quiet then it leads to higher productivity of a
person. High level of noise can cause headaches which can act as a barrier for a high
level of concentration.
2. Blood pressure- Noise pollution increases the tension in a human being. These tensions
further put pressure in a person’s mental health and as a result, it leads to high blood
pressure.
3. Abortion- During the delivery of a baby there is an absolute requirement for a cool and
calm environment, if there is too much noise then it irritates the baby and it can actually
lead to abortion.
4. Deafness- This is easily one of the most common harmful effects of noise pollution. If
a person exposes themselves to a high level of noise for an extended period of time it
can easily cause temporary or permanent deafness in a human being.
5. Effects on plants and crops- Plants are similar to human beings and even they are
sensitive to loud noises. When crops are exposed to too much noise then the quality of
the crops drastically reduces.
6. Effects on animals- Noise pollution is particularly very dangerous for animals. Their
nervous system is damaged due to noise pollution. Since they do not have the
intelligence of humans so they are much more vulnerable to the ill effects of noise
pollution compared to human beings.

Church of God (Full Gospel) in India v. K.K.R. Majestic Colony Welfare Association,
2000 Cri.LJ 4022

The apex Court held that the noise pollution rules would apply even if such noise was a direct
result of and was connected with religious activity. The Court observed that undisputedly, no
religion prescribes that prayers to be performed by disturbing the peace of others nor does it
preach that they should be through voice amplifiers or beating of drums.
In this case, the Court further opined that in a civilized society in the name of religion, activities
which disturb old or infirm persons, students or children having their sleep in the early hours
or during daytime or other persons carrying on other activities cannot be permitted.

The Court stressed the need to honour the rights of aged, sick, people afflicted with psychic
disturbances as well as children up to 6 years of age as they are considered to be very sensitive
to noise.

Own Motion v State of Tripura, WP(C) No.508/2018 This case is concerned with grievance
of some students in their letter addressed to the former Chief Justice about unauthorized use of
loudspeakers at night affecting their studies. The Court took it as writ petition in the public
interest. The Court observed that any noise having effect of materially interfering with the
ordinary comforts of life judged by standard of a reasonable man to any noise having effect of
materially interfering with the ordinary comforts of life judged by standard of a reasonable man
to nuisance. The Court held that it is the duty of the State Government to ensure strict
compliance with law in this regard.