Noise pollution

In a bid to address the escalating issue of noise pollution in the metropolitan city of Istanbul, where vehicle density is increasing day by day, a "quiet asphalt" project is set to be implemented in certain areas to mitigate the noise level on the roads by 10 decibels.

Complaints have been pouring in about the loud music emanating from tourist boats sailing in the Bosphorus until late at night, with numerous residents living around the iconic strait expressing their grievances regarding the noise.

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport has said that it would stop night flights and bar private jets in a bid to cut greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution.

Aircraft will be banned from taking off between midnight and 6 a.m. and will not be allowed to land before 5 a.m., Royal Schiphol Group chief executive Ruud Sondag said in a statement.

Within the scope of the noise regulation of the Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry, music activities in stadiums, parks, squares and other concerts and festival areas can be organized for a maximum of five consecutive days, while the hours of the activities have been limited between 10 a.m. and 1 a.m.

If they measure the illicit level of noise on the spot, they will be entitled to close the facility immediately, the Minister of Environmental Protection added on the news to the amendments to the Noise Control Act which is under preparation.

Noise laws restricting disturbances in residential areas over the winter period go into effect on Tuesday and will revert back to the summer schedule on April 1.

According to the measure, residents are allowed to make a complaint to the police if disturbances are noted between 10 p.m. and 7.30 a.m. and from 3.30 to 5.30 p.m. during the customary siesta break.

The Istanbul Governor's Office and the provincial directorate of environment and urban planning have ramped up their inspections on entertainment cruise ships touring the Bosphorus Strait following the increase in the number of complaints coming from residents regarding noise population.

Business representativeс insisted on separation of parties and quiet zones in major cities and resorts. This was required after the official introduction of the new Noise Control Act. According to the chairman of BAZ Richard Alibegov, the changes were made without official public discussion and without consultation with the businesses.

MPs adopted at second reading amendments to the Environmental Protection Act, aimed to limit the harmful impact on people. The new text provides rules for strict bans on any noise between 23.00 and 08.00 and 14.00 to 16.00 each day.

Ayia Napa mayor Yiannis Karousos, who has made a name for himself for trying to turn away "low-quality young tourists" in his town, is asking for a noise pollution law to be repealed so that nightclubs could be fined for playing music too loud.