Assessment of sound pressure levels in tourist spots of Munnar, Kerala

Abstract

Ecotourism is one of the tourism industry's fastest-growing sub-sector. The loss of the pristine acoustic ecosystem of the destination is closely associated with activities related to tourism and is one of the least recorded pressures. The acoustic deterioration of the area serves as a counter motive and contributes to reducing tourist numbers. The current study reports prevailing ambient noise levels in tourist sites of Munnar through a control effect design and check if the noise level are within the specified Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) noise level standards. The equivalent sound pressure level was determined in the presence and absence of visitors during low and peak tourist seasons from Jan 2018 - June 2019 at various tourist spots, activity zones, and roadsides of different areas of Munnar using Sound Level Meter Testo 815. The preliminary results show that the noise level being stable around 50 dB in the absence of visitors and increases up to 80 dB in the presence of visitors at tourist spots like Eravikulam National Park (84 dB), Top Station (79 dB), and Munnar Town (81 dB). The study results recommend limited vehicular traffic along the tourist trails in peak hours, introducing environmentally friendly transport, and implementing zoning as better ecotourism practices for the Kerala State Tourism Department.