Rejection of Noise Pollution licenses for high decibel events near Cubbon Park

Team Heritage Beku
Oct 29
4 min read

Updated: Nov 4

Based on today's newspaper publlc notices 29 Oct 25 , Heritage Beku writes to Police Commissioner :

29 Oct 2025

The Commissioner of Police

Bangalore City Police

Infantry Road

Bengaluru 560001

Dear Sir,

Subject: FIRM DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL AND REJECTION OF NOISE POLLUTION LICENSES FOR HIGH-DECIBEL EVENTS NEAR CUBBON PARK – Upholding Supreme Court Mandates and Protecting Biodiversity.

We write to you today on behalf of the citizens of Bangalore, with deep concern and a clear, urgent request , regarding the ongoing and proposed issuance of licenses for high-decibel sound events in the immediate vicinity of Cubbon Park, the city's invaluable "People's Park" and a precious green lung.

We understand that the police has published a notice , and license applications have been filed by prominent entities, including F& F Hospitality and Marriot Executive Apartments, seeking permission to generate sound levels that consistently and drastically exceed the legally mandated decibel limits.

Breach of Law and Constitutional Mandate

The very consideration and public notice of such applications are fundamentally contradictory to the established legal framework.

Violation of Supreme Court Orders: The Honourable Supreme Court of India, in its landmark ruling on noise pollution (In Re: Noise Pollution), unequivocally established the Right to Peace, Sleep, and Silence as an intrinsic part of the Fundamental Right to Life (Article 21). Furthermore, the allowance of noise beyond permissible limits is a direct affront to the specific commitment made by the then-Police Commissioner, Mr. Praveen Sood, who submitted an affidavit confirming adherence to the noise pollution standards set out by the Supreme Court. Allowing such licenses is not only detrimental to public health and the environment but also constitutes an explicit act that goes against the Supreme Court's binding directions.(see enclosed)
Silence Zone Mandate: Cubbon Park falls squarely under the definition of a "Silence Zone," where the prescribed ambient noise limit is strictly capped at 50 dB(A) during the day and 40 dB(A) at night (as per CPCB Noise Pollution Rules, 2000). The repeated and widely reported raucous noise from previous and proposed events easily surpasses these standards, treating a critical ecological space with impunity.

Impact on Biodiversity and Public Health

The indiscriminate allowance of loud, inappropriate sound is causing irretrievable damage to the park's delicate ecosystem:

Flora and Fauna: The delicate biodiversity of Cubbon Park—including essential bird species, small mammals, and insects—is highly sensitive to acoustic disturbance. Excessive noise disrupts their communication, foraging, breeding cycles, and anti-predator behaviour, leading to habitat displacement and a decline in species richness.
Public Nuisance: The highly loud noise and inappropriate timings have led to huge issues and sustained protest from Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) On Lavelle Road, Kasturba Road and Vittal Mallya Road, and affected parties nearby. It is deeply concerning that repeated requests from these citizen bodies have historically not been heeded, leading to a perception that the cloud and connections of major hospitality chains allow noise to be permitted with impunity, disregarding the well-being of the local community.

National and International Precedents for Protection

This is not an isolated concern. Across the country and the world, environmental and judicial authorities have recognized the non-negotiable need to protect sensitive zones from acoustic pollution.

In India, studies in protected areas like Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, and the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary have documented noise levels exceeding 80 dB(A) due to anthropogenic activities, leading to adverse ecological impacts. This evidence reaffirms the direct conflict between high noise levels and the health of our green spaces. Legal frameworks like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, are increasingly being cited to regulate activities, including tourism noise, that disturb protected area wildlife.
Internationally, developed nations like the UK have had explicit legislation, such as the Noise Abatement Act, 1960, to prohibit loudspeaker usage during late hours, specifically to ensure peace. Furthermore, global jurisprudence, including the European Court of Human Rights, affirms that environmental protection—including the control of noise pollution—is inextricably linked to the fundamental human rights to health and life.

Our Earnest Request

As a caring city, focused on the environment, public health, and our children’s future, we honestly request, if not demand, that the Police Department immediately adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards noise pollution for sale. We request the immediate rejection of the current license applications by F& F Hospitality and Marriot Executive Apartments and a commitment that no future application for loud sound events will be considered in the vicinity of Cubbon Park.

We cannot, and must not, allow the explicit risk to people, flora, and fauna in a delicate biodiversity hotspot for a few hours of irresponsible pleasure by hotel guests or visitors. We urge you to uphold the rule of law and the spirit of the Supreme Court's mandate by strictly enforcing Silence Zone regulations.

We look forward to your firm action in protecting our People's Park.

Yours sincerely,

For Heritage Beku

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal