Noise Mapping of Nashik City using Q-GIS

Noise is becoming one of the major issues now a days in Nashik city. Noise pollution refers to sounds in the environment that are caused by humans and that threaten the health or welfare of human or animal inhabitants. Environmental noise pollution continues to pose a significant threat to human health and the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. The broad aim of the present work is driven by the desire to look into the impact of noise pollution on environment. noise pollution range at different locations in Nashik rural area was measured. The impact of noise pollution was analyzed. Noise mapping was done using the QGIScomputer- based software. Spatial plans were prepared so that the trend of the noise pollution can be assessed for future development plans. In the initial phase, data collection was done which included study of population density, market places, religious places, road networks, collection of maps etc. Reconnaissance survey was conducted and proper spots were chosen based on the collected data. Later on, the data was processed into the QGIS to obtain the noise maps. The noise maps of morning and evening were produced that showed the noise level intensities of morning and evening peak hours at all selected locations. Through the noise maps, it was easy to identify the noise hotspots. Noise hotspots indicated the locations having noise level exceeding 84.56 dB. These maps were useful in future city planning and road expansion planning.