The Himachal Pradesh High Court has frowned upon the decibel din in the state. Acting on a petition, the court has issued notices to the state chief secretary and the state pollution control board for strict enforcement of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to reduce noise pollution caused by excessive use of loudspeakers, particularly during examination time. The petitioner had contended that the prescribed noise limits were being violated in religious places at unearthly hours.