GIS-Based Landfill Site Suitability Analysis in Deogarh Municipal Area: A Geographical Study

Abstract: The rapid increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) resulting from population growth, urbanization, and changing consumption patterns has emerged as a major environmental challenge in developing countries. Scientific landfill site selection is essential to minimize adverse environmental and public health impacts while ensuring sustainable waste management. The present study aims to identify suitable landfill sites in the Deogarh Municipal Area, Rajsamand District, Rajasthan, using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). Spatial datasets, including land use/land cover, road networks, water bodies, built-up areas, agricultural land, railway lines, and slope, were acquired through field surveys and secondary data sources and processed using QGIS. Buffer analysis and weighted overlay techniques were applied in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to evaluate landfill site suitability. The integrated analysis classified the study area into different suitability zones ranging from unsuitable to highly suitable. The results indicate that the existing dumping site is environmentally less suitable because of its proximity to residential areas, agricultural land, and public institutions, thereby posing potential environmental and public health risks. In contrast, the proposed alternative sites are located on barren land with favourable environmental conditions, adequate road accessibility, and greater compliance with landfill site selection criteria, making them more suitable for future landfill development. The study demonstrates that the integration of GIS and MCDA provides a robust, reliable, and scientifically sound decision-support framework for landfill site selection. The proposed methodology can assist municipal authorities and planners in developing sustainable solid waste management strategies and may serve as a replicable model for other urban areas facing similar waste management challenges. The final suitability analysis showed that 12.4% of the study area falls under highly suitable class while 28.6% was moderately suitable.

Keywords: Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), Buffer Analysis, Landfill Site Selection, (GIS), QGIS, Spatial Analysis