Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said reducing noise pollution is everyone's responsibility and cannot be left solely to government, speaking at a rally against honking near Dhaka airport today.

“To control noise pollution, unnecessary honking must be stopped as it's a bad habit of ours and it must be changed,” Rizwana said while addressing the awareness event organized by Department of Environment, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, Dhaka North City Corporation and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

Rally aimed to implement discouraging honking in declared silent zones. Rizwana, also in charge of Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Water Resources Ministry, said police must impose penalties on honking through digital devices similar to other traffic violations.

Noise Pollution Control Rules 2025 have been enacted. Traffic police trained several young people who are now officially part of the force to enforce the regulations. Civil Aviation can begin activities with volunteers to stop honking in airport silent zones, setting an example by making the area horn-free.

Rizwana revealed that 65 percent of drivers in Dhaka city suffer from hearing impairment due to high noise levels. Sound of horns is extremely uncomfortable for children going to school, she added.

Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Farhina Ahmed, present as special guest, said government is firmly committed to implementing noise pollution control regulations. She sought cooperation from all concerned.

DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz, Additional Police Commissioner Md Sarwar and Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddique also spoke at the rally. Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md Anisur Rahman and senior officials from relevant authorities attended the event.