Goa notifies 15 ‘festive nights’ for late-night sound ‘pollution’
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 05 February 2016 20:35 IST
Goa will ‘officially’ play loudspeakers for 15 days this year, on festival occasions, at 10 different festivities including Carnival and New Year eve, till midnight.
It would begin with 9 February for Carnival next week.
Goa government’s environment department has released this year’s calendar, permitting loudspeakers till midnight.
No loud music or sound is otherwise permitted in Goa beyond 10.30 pm.
The department has listed only two non-religious festivals – Carnival on 9 February and 31 December, the New Year eve.
Though Christian community celebrates 31 December with a midnight mass etc, in Goa, it has larger significance since the whole flocks to the tourist state to celebrate New Year, beyond 12 midnight.
And in spite of this circular, the New Year parties and celebrations continue post-midnight with loudspeakers and music, unofficially.
The listed festivals for this year, besides Carnival and New Year Eve, are as follows:
Hindu festivals:
Holi: 23 March
Chovoth: 6, 9 & 15 September
Navratri: 1 & 10 October
"--ADD CONTENT-
Kojagiri Punav: 15 October
Diwali: 28 & 29 October
Tripurari or Kartik Punav: 14 November
Christian festivals:
Easter: 26 March
Christmas: 24 & 25 December
However, no permission would be given to hold these events without application.
The event-organisers also need to follow the guidelines under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules-2000, while using loudspeakers.
This is another policy which will remain only on paper.Does govt have manpower to check the violation.Secondly every second day in Goa someone or the other is playing loud music beyond 10.30pm.