Complaint against JW Marriott, Bengaluru Press Club, others for causing noise pollution

BENGALURU: The Cubbon Park Walkers' Association has filed a complaint against seven prominent establishments in the vicinity for allegedly playing loud music that they say is affecting birds.

In a recent complaint to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), the association has named JW Marriott, Skyye Bar in UB City , Century Club, Karnataka State Cricket Association, Bengaluru Press Club, Tennis Club and Young Men's Christian Association for causing noise pollution.

"Loud noise comes out of these places every night," association president S Umesh told ET. "It gets worse during weekends when the hotels organize programmes that stretch till 1 am... Rare birds come to Cubbon Park to rest during nights and they are disturbed."

"Oriental magpie robin, whitethroated, red-vented bulbul, Indian pond heron, pond heron, green bee-eater and spotted owlet were called `Birds of Cubbon Park' but now these are hardly seen during the daytime," he said. "These said. "These birds come to Cubbon Park during nights to rest and we can see them early mornings. If the noise pollution continues even during night, there is the possibility of them disappearing from here."

The association also wants curbs on the horticulture department's Sandhya Raga programme, sched uled to be held 5pm to 6pm every Sunday at the park.

"The programme is organised after 6pm and must be restricted.

Even the High Court has passed an order to protect the environment from any sound pollution," the association stated in its com plaint.

KSPCB chairman Vaman Acharya, while advocating self-re straint when it comes to noise pol lution, told ET that the board was looking into the association's com plaint. "If the charge is proved, we will issue notices and recommend the police to take action," Acharya ANIMISHA said.

A JW Marriott spokesperson said that " Marriott International ob serves and follows high standards of adherence to local governing bodies, government laws and regulations. All cooperation will be extended by us to ensure that there is no disruption to the flora and fauna in Bengaluru."

The Skyye Bar management said that, "We play within the allowed levels as prescribed by regulations.We also do not violate the allowed timelines of playing music."

Dr MB Krishna, an ecologist and ornithologist, said high levels of noise during night and flash lights, in particular, affect birds.

The Karnataka government last year decided to allow eateries in the city to remain open till 1 am on all days, and pubs and bars till 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. But it has also dictated that noise levels should not exceed 40 decibels from 10 pm to 6 am.