Monitoring of Noise Levels at Various Sites During Winter Season at Bhindawas Wetland, Haryana, India

Noise pollution has increased over the past century, especially the past few decades, disturbing the integrity of natural ecosystems. Higher noise level not only harms humans, but threatens the birds. It cause reduction of bird’s species, reproductive failure and affect food availability. A comprehensive study on noise level of three pre-selected sites of Bhindawas wetland was carried out during the November 2010 and February 2011. At each site, noise level measurements were made at ten second interval for a period of 60 minutes. Equivalent continuous sound level (L eq ) ware ranged between 42.45 dB(A) to 55.66 dB(A) and 42.45 to 55.66 dB(A), respectively during the November 2010 and February 2011. It was observed that the road side site which is near to the canal water inlet to wetland has more noise level ( Leq ) than the standard prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for a silence zone (50 dB). The higher values of the peak noise levels (L 1 ) was observed during the study period, which could be disturbed the birds and they fly away to the nearest water bodies.