Considering the high density of mosques in the city, they said the environment and forest ministry should limit the use to tolerable decibel and covering the mosques' interior only.

Discussants at the roundtable, organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) at the National Press Club, also proposed for introducing horns producing melodious sounds for vehicles plying in the city to relieve the citizens of the harsh and hazardous sounds of blaring transport horns currently in use.

Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, a leading environment activist, moderated the discussion. Among others, Prof Atiur Rahman, a renowned economist, Prof Naser Ezazul Haque, research official of Bapa, Musfiqur Rahman Babla, an environmentalist, Prof Nurul Amin, a specialist physician of ear, nose and throat, and Kazi Rafiqul Alam, executive director of Ahsania Mission, took part in the brain-storming.

Prof Sayeed said the highest level of sound to be produced by horns and loudspeakers had to be fixed and only those should be allowed for sales in the markets.

Criticising the draft law, Prof Atiur Rahman said the provision for vesting all regulatory powers with the director general of environment department would hinder its efficacy.

Architect Mobasher Hossain underscored the need for setting up a 24-hour call centre where people could report and complain against any breach of the law.

Pointing out some shortcomings of the draft law, Musfiqur Babla said it did not define and classify the silent, residential, commercial and mixed zones of the city, which will deter its proper application.