Noise Pollution Modelling Using GIS Techniques in Srinagar City

Due to swift urbanization and shifts in lifestyle, loud noise has permeated every aspect of our lives, becoming an inescapable element. Extensive research has demonstrated that both indoor and outdoor environmental noise pollution pose significant health risks, particularly impacting the well-being of fetuses, infants, children, adolescents, and adults. The detrimental effects of noise pollution encompass not only noise-induced hearing loss but also a wide range of nonauditory health issues. The diagnosis of these adverse effects, attributable to noise pollution, is steadily rising across all age groups. This chapter presents a comprehensive approach utilized for evaluating and delineating the levels of noise pollution in Srinagar city. The assessment and mapping processes were carried out utilizing geospatial techniques. At each selected location, noise measurements were conducted using a sound level meter for 5 days at the same location for morning, afternoon, evening, and nighttime. The resulting noise map was constructed based on the average calculated values using the interpolation technique, which showed that the noise levels in the morning ranged from 44.23 to 78.00 dB, with the outskirts having the lowest values and the city center, Pantha Chowk, and Hazratbal registering the highest levels. Afternoon noise increases from 53.00 to 80.15 dB, and most of the city falls into the medium to high range. In the evening, noise decreases (36.00-79.75 dB), while during the night, levels vary from 36.00 to 60.96 dB, with higher levels in Lal Chowk, Rajbagh, Pantha Chowk, and Khonmoh due to vehicle movements. The findings of this study serve as valuable references and guidelines for future urban planning endeavors and the formulation of noise regulations in areas similar to Srinagar city. These results offer crucial insights into establishing appropriate noise limits to be implemented for the betterment of urban environments.