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Bombay HC Acts on City's Glaring Lights
10 Oct
Summary
- Bombay High Court orders BMC to enforce 11 pm neon light switch-off.
- Petition highlights light pollution's impact on health and wildlife.
- Court to hear light pollution case further on November 20.
The Bombay High Court is now addressing the pervasive issue of light pollution in Mumbai and Thane. Following a petition that highlighted excessive artificial lighting from billboards and floodlights, the court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to rigorously enforce a 1998 directive mandating the switch-off of neon lights by 11 pm.
The petition, filed by astrophotographer Nilesh Desai, points to 'light trespass' as a significant problem, affecting residents, particularly near gymkhanas on Marine Drive. Beyond mere inconvenience, the excessive illumination is argued to pose risks to human health, disrupt animal behavior, and contribute to energy waste.
Desai has previously lodged numerous complaints, noting a lack of specific regulations for light pollution, unlike noise or air pollution. The court has ordered the state government to file a response and has scheduled further hearings for November 20. The petition advocates for a regulatory framework similar to noise pollution rules, including clear penalties and grievance mechanisms.
The petitioner suggests high-intensity lights be switched off by 10 pm and proposes a state-constituted committee to examine the issue. This judicial review marks a significant effort to mitigate the adverse effects of unchecked artificial lighting on public well-being and the environment.
