MAZAR-E-SHARIF (SW) – A number of residents of Mazar-e-Sharif, the center of Balkh, say that noise pollution has increased in recent days.
They add that the sound of loudspeakers of mobile food vendors, hawkers, transporters and electricity generators during the day, especially in the mornings, has disturbed their mental peace. Residents of Mazar-e-Sharif demand the caretaker government to control the noise pollution in the city.
Mohammad Mehran, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif, said: “The noise of cars and motorcycles has increased, unfortunately, this work has weakened my spirit.”
Nawidullah, another resident of Mazar-e-Sharif, said, “These days, noise pollution has increased. Every area you go to, hundreds of push carts have installed hundreds of loudspeakers and produce hundreds of sounds. Noise pollution has increased.”
Asadullah Al-Afat, a psychiatrist in Balkh, says that noise pollution causes hearing loss, sleep disturbances, anxiety, severe headaches and heart diseases. He said: “Unfortunately, there will be further increase in noise pollution if there are no restrictions on the part of the government. Noise pollution can cause sleep problems, severe headaches and breathing difficulties.”
However, the officials in Balkh Environmental Protection Agency say that in coordination with the provincial government, they have created a committee to reduce noise pollution in the city.
Mohammad Mohammadi, director of the Balkh Environmental Protection Department, said: “Our department has established an assistant leadership position in the province in coordination with other institutions such as the municipality and the traffic committee. We are trying to reduce noise pollution.”
ENDS
