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Research article · 2026 · Full text

International Journal of Geography Geology and Environment

Integrating GIS and AHP for optimal landfill site selection: A case study of Sikar city, India

Prem .Sabiha Khan

Volume 8(5) · Pages 47–48 · DOI: 10.22271/27067483.2026.v8.i5a.753 ↗

Research areasMunicipal Solid Waste ManagementMulti-Criteria Decision MakingSoil and Land Suitability Analysis

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Abstract

Author-written

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has emerged as a major concern both globally and locally, with landfill site selection being a crucial aspect. In many Indian cities, including Sikar, existing dumping sites were chosen based on land availability rather than actual suitability. This study applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) through the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to categorize city areas into three suitability classes most suitable, suitable, and unsuitable for landfill development. Results showed that 87.23 percentage were unsuitable, while 10.98 percentage were suitable, and only 1.75 percentage fell into the most suitable category. Out of 12 potential locations identified, only 6 met the minimum requirement of 20 hectares and complied with the Sikar City Master Plan 2031. The analysis also found that the current landfill sites in a moderately suitable zone. This research contributes to the body of knowledge on scientifically and socially acceptable landfill site selection in developing countries by integrating MCDA, AHP, and GIS methods to enhance environmental and socioeconomic sustainability, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 6, and 11.

Summary

Source-checked

Plain-language reading of the full paper, prepared with AI and checked against the text. Each point links to the authors' own words.

  1. Why it matters

    • Municipal solid waste management is a significant global and local concern, making the selection of appropriate landfill sites a critical task. View evidence ↗

      Why it matters

      Municipal solid waste management is a significant global and local concern, making the selection of appropriate landfill sites a critical task.

      In the paper's own words

      “Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has emerged as a major concern both globally and locally, with landfill site selection being a crucial aspect.”

      Page 1

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
    • In Sikar and other Indian cities, landfill sites have historically been chosen based on land availability instead of scientific suitability. View evidence ↗

      Why it matters

      In Sikar and other Indian cities, landfill sites have historically been chosen based on land availability instead of scientific suitability.

      In the paper's own words

      “In many Indian cities, including Sikar, existing dumping sites were chosen based on land availability rather than actual suitability.”

      Page 1

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
    • Sikar's current landfill is poorly located in a densely populated western area near water, where prevailing winds carry unpleasant odors into the city. View evidence ↗

      Why it matters

      Sikar's current landfill is poorly located in a densely populated western area near water, where prevailing winds carry unpleasant odors into the city.

      In the paper's own words

      “The current landfill site is located in the western region of the city, in close proximity to an aquatic body. The area is densely populated. The city's geography presents a challenge in this location, as the prevailing winds from the west or southwest frequently transport odours.”

      Page 2

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 2 ↗
  2. The question

    • The study aims to use Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate and identify sustainable landfill locations in Sikar City. View evidence ↗

      The question

      The study aims to use Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate and identify sustainable landfill locations in Sikar City.

      In the paper's own words

      “The impetus for this research is the imperative need to evaluate the appropriateness of a landfill location in Sikar City by integrating MCDA and GIS, and to offer evidence-based insights for sustainable landfill site management.”

      Page 1

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
  3. What they did

    • The researchers analyzed ten different map layers, including topography, infrastructure, land use, and water sources, to determine site suitability. View evidence ↗

      What they did

      The researchers analyzed ten different map layers, including topography, infrastructure, land use, and water sources, to determine site suitability.

      In the paper's own words

      “The analysis encompasses ten unique input map layers: elevation, slope, residential zones, local roads, highways, railway lines, land use and land cover, significant commercial areas, groundwater, and water bodies”

      Page 3

      Found in: Data Collection

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 3 ↗
    • Data was gathered from Sentinel 2A imagery (10m resolution), OpenStreetMap, and SRTM digital elevation data (30m resolution). View evidence ↗

      What they did

      Data was gathered from Sentinel 2A imagery (10m resolution), OpenStreetMap, and SRTM digital elevation data (30m resolution).

      In the paper's own words

      “The LULC and water body layers were derived from Sentinel 2A imagery for 2024, featuring a resolution of 10 meters, acquired from the European Space Agency.”

      Page 3

      “Data pertaining to highways, railway lines, and local roads were sourced from the OpenStreetMap platform.”

      Page 3

      “Additional datasets, including digital elevation data, were obtained from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) at a resolution of 30 meters through USGS Earth Explorer.”

      Page 3

      Found in: Data Collection

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 3 ↗
    • The study utilized the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to weight criteria and the Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method to create the final suitability map. View evidence ↗

      What they did

      The study utilized the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to weight criteria and the Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method to create the final suitability map.

      In the paper's own words

      “This study employs the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) methods of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA).”

      Page 4

      Found in: Conclusion and Recommendation:

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 4 ↗
  4. What they found

    • Initial categorization of city areas showed that 87.23% were unsuitable, 10.98% were suitable, and only 1.75% were most suitable for landfills. View evidence ↗

      What they found

      Initial categorization of city areas showed that 87.23% were unsuitable, 10.98% were suitable, and only 1.75% were most suitable for landfills.

      In the paper's own words

      “Results showed that 87.23 percentage were unsuitable, while 10.98 percentage were suitable, and only 1.75 percentage fell into the most suitable category.”

      Page 1

      Found in: Slope

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
    • Most of the region was found to be highly suitable regarding distance from water bodies (98.7%) and slope (89.756%). View evidence ↗

      What they found

      Most of the region was found to be highly suitable regarding distance from water bodies (98.7%) and slope (89.756%).

      In the paper's own words

      “Water bodies have a remarkably high appropriateness, with 98.7% categorized as Most Suitable.”

      Page 8

      “The findings indicate that 89.756% of the region is classified as Most Suitable, signifying predominantly level terrain”

      Page 8

      Found in: Introduction

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 8 ↗
    • The final integrated suitability analysis determined that 88.73% of the area is unsuitable, 5.05% is appropriate, and 6.21% is highly suitable. View evidence ↗

      What they found

      The final integrated suitability analysis determined that 88.73% of the area is unsuitable, 5.05% is appropriate, and 6.21% is highly suitable.

      In the paper's own words

      “The results show that approximately 5.05% of the area is appropriate for landfill use, whereas 6.21% is classified as highly suitable, and 88.73% is considered unsuitable.”

      Page 8

      Found in: Landfill Suitability

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 8 ↗
    • Of the 12 potential sites identified, only 6 met the minimum size requirement of 20 hectares and aligned with the city's 2031 Master Plan. View evidence ↗

      What they found

      Of the 12 potential sites identified, only 6 met the minimum size requirement of 20 hectares and aligned with the city's 2031 Master Plan.

      In the paper's own words

      “Out of 12 potential locations identified, only 6 met the minimum requirement of 20 hectares and complied with the Sikar City Master Plan 2031.”

      Page 1

      Found in: Landfill Suitability

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 1 ↗
  5. What it means

    • The authors conclude that the most suitable landfill locations for 2031 are situated in the eastern and north-eastern regions of Sikar. View evidence ↗

      What it means

      The authors conclude that the most suitable landfill locations for 2031 are situated in the eastern and north-eastern regions of Sikar.

      In the paper's own words

      “The optimal locations are found in the eastern and north-eastern regions of the study area, including S1, S12, S9, S5, S10, S3, among others, and are deemed most suitable for the year 2031.”

      Page 9

      Found in: Conclusion and Recommendation:

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 9 ↗
    • The authors recommend that local governments adopt GIS and MCDA methods to ensure waste management is environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable. View evidence ↗

      What it means

      The authors recommend that local governments adopt GIS and MCDA methods to ensure waste management is environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable.

      In the paper's own words

      “It is advisable for local governments to improve their capabilities and infrastructure facilities while incorporating GIS and MCDA methods for effective waste management.”

      Page 9

      Found in: Conclusion and Recommendation:

      Read it in the full textOpen PDF at page 9 ↗

Visual summary

3 visuals

Illustrations explain the paper; charts are replotted from the paper's own table values.

AI-generated illustration
AI-generated conceptual illustration (A geographical landscape of Sikar city, India, represented as a series of stacked map layers). It explains the idea and does not show study data.↗ Enlarge
Landfill Site Selection Workflow
AI-generated conceptual illustration (A geographical landscape of Sikar city, India, represented as a series of stacked map layers). It explains the idea and does not show study data.

AI-generated conceptual illustration (A geographical landscape of Sikar city, India, represented as a series of stacked map layers). It explains the idea and does not show study data.

Open full-size image ↗

Landfill Site Selection Workflow

AI-generated conceptual illustration (A geographical landscape of Sikar city, India, represented as a series of stacked map layers). It explains the idea and does not show study data.

View source evidence ↗
Replotted from source data
Replotted from Table 4 (page 5) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.↗ Enlarge
Distance from Highways: Not Suitable (%) vs Suitable (%) vs Most Suitable (%)
Replotted from Table 4 (page 5) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

Replotted from Table 4 (page 5) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

Open full-size image ↗

Distance from Highways: Not Suitable (%) vs Suitable (%) vs Most Suitable (%)

Replotted from Table 4 (page 5) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

View source evidence ↗
Replotted from source data
Replotted from Table 4 (page 5) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.↗ Enlarge
Distance from Local Roads: Not Suitable (%) vs Suitable (%) vs Most Suitable (%)
Replotted from Table 4 (page 5) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

Replotted from Table 4 (page 5) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

Open full-size image ↗

Distance from Local Roads: Not Suitable (%) vs Suitable (%) vs Most Suitable (%)

Replotted from Table 4 (page 5) of the original paper. Every bar is the paper's own table value.

View source evidence ↗

Figures & tables

From the original paper
Location Map of Sikar CityFigure 1Page 2Summery, of input data used in this studyTable 1Page 4Random Index ValueTable 2Page 5Pairwise Comparison MatrixTable 3Page 5Suitability Condition of CriteriaTable 4Page 5Factor criteria mapsFigure 2Page 6Factor criteria mapsFigure 3Page 7Overall Suitable sitesFigure 4Page 8Final landfill Suitability mapFigure 5Page 9
FULL TEXT Original article · reflowed for reading

Introduction

The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) has become increasingly important due to the numerous obstacles that MSW presents, as well as the identification and allocation of suitable disposal sites (Gbanie et al., 2013). Consequently, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive assessment and make well-informed decisions regarding the selection of a disposal site in order to achieve environmentally responsible and sustainable solid waste management. The optimal landfill sites can be determined by incorporating a variety of disciplines, including environmental science, hydrogeology, sociology, economics, and engineering, as demonstrated by numerous studies. In order to identify an appropriate landfill site for solid waste disposal, Kontos and Komin integrated socioeconomic and environmental variables. Kharat and colleagues (Kharat 2016) [34] identified sensitive areas and intra-municipal factors as the most significant influences. It necessitates an understanding of numerous criteria, parameters, regulations, and simultaneous evaluations (Djokanovic 2016) [21] . The issue of solid waste management in Indian cities has become increasingly intricate over the past two decades, akin to that of rapidly expanding industrial cities (Gupta, 2015) [27] . The rapid increase in municipal solid waste in Sikar City can be attributed to a variety of factors, including inadequate urban planning, insufficient capital investment in this sector, and a rapid surge in population over the past decade, particularly in the education industry that has grown in anticipation of competitive exams. The impetus for this research is the imperative need to evaluate the appropriateness of a landfill location in Sikar City by integrating MCDA and GIS, and to offer evidence-based insights for sustainable landfill site management. The generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) is increasingly recognized as a global environmental issue, significantly affecting public health, environmental deterioration, and climate change (Joshi & Ahmed, 2016) [30] . According to World Bank report "Waste 2.0" highlights that municipal solid waste generation is projected to rise from 2.1 billion tonnes annually in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050 (Beede & Bloom, 1995) [12] . India produces over 160,038.9 tonnes of solid trash daily, with approximately 152,749.5 tonnes collected, reflecting a collection efficiency of 95.4% (CPCB Annual Report, 2022) [17] .

The 79,956.3 TPD (50%) of the collected waste was treated, while 29,427.2 TPD (18.4%) was sent to landfills (CPCB Annual Report, 2022) [17] . Nevertheless, 31.7% of the total waste generated, or 50,655.4 TPD, remains unaccounted for (CPCB Annual Report, 2022) [17] . Various factors, including GDP development, rapid urbanisation, population growth, tourist traffic, and industrial expansion, influence the massive amount of MSW generation (Srivastava 2015) [46] Waste management systems, particularly those in developing nations worldwide, are confronted with significant challenges as a result of the substantial rise in municipal solid waste generation (Pal & Bhatia, 2022) [41] . Consequently, in order to surmount the obstacles presented by MSW, it is imperative to adhere to the principle of integrated solid waste management (ISWM). The Sikar Nagar Parishad operates a landfill facility in the city. Nevertheless, the selection of this disposal site is primarily determined by administrative convenience and land availability, rather than scientific parameters that consider environmental, social, and infrastructural factors. In the western region of the city, the landfill site is situated in a densely populated location adjacent to an aquatic body. This location is in opposition to the city's geography, as it is subject to wind for the majority of the year. The current landfill site is located in the western region of the city, in close proximity to an aquatic body. The area is densely populated. The city's geography presents a challenge in this location, as the prevailing winds from the west or southwest frequently transport odours. The site's proximity to residential neighbourhoods and aquatic bodies also poses substantial hazards to public health and environmental safety. It emits an unpleasant odour throughout the city as it flows from the west or southwest. The proximity to residential areas and water bodies also poses a significant hazard to the welfare of the public and the environment.

Description of study area

Sikar City, located in the north-eastern part of Rajasthan, India, is an important urban center and administrative headquarters of Sikar district. Geographically, it lies between 27°36′ to 27°57′ N latitude and 75°02′ to 75°25′ E longitude, covering an area of around 17 square kilometers within the municipal limits. The city is part of the semi-arid region of the Shekhawati area, known for its distinctive culture, painted havelis, and historical heritage. Sikar serves as a key educational hub in Rajasthan, often referred to as the "Education City," hosting numerous schools, colleges, and coaching institutes that attract students from across the state and beyond. Economically, the city's livelihood is supported by trade, agriculture from surrounding rural areas, and service-based industries. The climate is characterized by extreme summers, mild winters, and low to moderate annual rainfall, influenced by the arid and semi-arid conditions of the region. The city is well-connected by road and rail, linking it to major cities like Jaipur, Delhi, and Bikaner. Culturally rich, Sikar reflects a blend of traditional Rajasthani lifestyle and modern urban growth. Rapid urbanization in recent decades has led to expansion beyond its historical core, bringing challenges related to infrastructure, waste management, and sustainable development.

Material and Methods

Material and Methods

Data Collection

The analysis encompasses ten unique input map layers: elevation, slope, residential zones, local roads, highways, railway lines, land use and land cover, significant commercial areas, groundwater, and water bodies (refer to Table 1). The criteria for constraints were established in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB), and the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016, alongside contributions from academic specialists in pertinent areas. The criteria are designed to protect the environment, ensure public health, and address various aesthetic considerations. The criteria for constraints encompass water bodies along with a 200-meter buffer zone surrounding them, residential areas accompanied by a 200-meter buffer zone, and a 200-meter zone encircling significant commercial spaces. In the analysis of land use and land cover, residential areas and water bodies are identified as constraint criteria. Elements like water bodies, residential zones, and commercial areas function as both criteria for consideration and limitations, thus acting as dual criteria. The LULC and water body layers were derived from Sentinel 2A imagery for 2024, featuring a resolution of 10 meters, acquired from the European Space Agency. Data pertaining to highways, railway lines, and local roads were sourced from the OpenStreetMap platform. Additional datasets, including digital elevation data, were obtained from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) at a resolution of 30 meters through USGS Earth Explorer. Data on groundwater levels were sourced from the district groundwater authority. All map layers were developed with ArcGIS software, and the statistical analysis of the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was performed using Microsoft Excel 2021. Every map layer adheres to a consistent reference framework that aligns with national mapping standards, namely WGS 84 and UTM 43N. A raster data model was chosen, and all input map layers, regardless of their original format as raster or vector, were either resampled or converted to a raster with a uniform grid size of 30 meters. Table 1 presents the layers, buffer zones, and rankings.

Table 1. Summery, of input data used in this study
Sr. No.Layer NameSource mapBuffer ZonesRankingSuitability
1Residential Area (in meterSentinal 2A 2023 imagery. Supervised classification of LULC.0-3001Not Suitable
300-4002Suitable
>4003Most Suitable
2Water BodyHydrological data India WRIS0-3001Not Suitable
300-4002Suitable
>4003Most Suitable
3Commercial SpaceOSM Portal0-3001Not Suitable
300-4002Suitable
>4003Most Suitable
4Distance from HighwaysOSM Portal0-2001Not Suitable
200-3002Suitable
>3003Most Suitable
5Distance from Local RoadsOSM Portal0-501Not Suitable
50-1502Suitable
>1503Most Suitable
6Distance from Railway lineOSM Portal0-3001Not Suitable
300-4002Suitable
>4003Most Suitable
7Groundwater DepthDistrict Goundwater Authority77-821Not Suitable
82-942Suitable
>943Most Suitable
8LULCSentinal 2A 2023 imagery. Supervised classification of LULC.Waterbody, Builtup Area1Not Suitable
Vegitation, Agriculture Land2Suitable
Barren and Rangeland3Most Suitable
9ElevationUSGS Earth Explorer, SRTM 30M>4251Not Suitable
401-4252Suitable
425-4753Most Suitable
10SlopeUSGS Earth Explorer, SRTM 30M>91Not Suitable
03-Sep2Suitable
0-33Most Suitable

Table text extracted from the original PDF; superscript letters are shown inline. The original table image is below.

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Summery, of input data used in this study↗ Enlarge
Table 1
Summery, of input data used in this study

Summery, of input data used in this study

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Original paper tableSource PDF · page 4 ↗

Methods

Methods

Setting of Factor Criteria

The criteria are divided into three main categories: environmental factors (such as water bodies, LULC and groundwater), socio-economic factors (including highways, local roads, railway lines, residential areas, and commercial spaces), and topographic factors (slope, and elevation). Each factor is ranked on a scale from 1 to 3, where one indicates that the factor is unsuitable, two means suitable, and three denotes the most appropriate (see Table 1).

Water Body

Water bodies play a crucial role in determining landfill site suitability, as they are considered one of the most important factors in the selection process. This study, water bodies are critical factors in landfill site suitability analysis due to their potential vulnerability to contamination. In this study, the criteria for proximity to water body were defined as follows: 0-300 m is deemed unsuitable, 300 -400 m is considered suitable, and more than 400 m is most suitable.

Groundwater

Groundwater depth plays a crucial role in landfill site selection, as it is considered one of the most important criteria in the process. In this study, the criteria for depth of groundwater were defined as follows: 72-82 m is deemed unsuitable, 82-94 m is considered suitable, and more than 94 m is most suitable.

Land Use and Land Cover (LULC).

Land use and land cover are crucial in determining landfill site suitability. This study utilized the 2024 Sentinel 2A Satellite Imagery, which was processed through a supervised classification method using ArcGIS software, applying the maximum likelihood parametric decision rule (Saini et al., 2024) [43][44] . The classification was based on a predefined LULC classification scheme provided by ESRI, along with a field survey conducted in the study area. The framework included six distinct categories: water bodies, vegetation, built-up areas, agriculture, rangeland, and bare land. The comparative appropriateness of various land uses indicates that waterbodies and built-up areas are deemed unsuitable, whereas agricultural and vegetative land is considered suitable. Additionally, bare land and rangeland are identified as the most suitable options, as illustrated in the table.

Highways

The role of highways in selecting landfill sites is considered an important economic factor in the site selection process. Thus, highways play a significant role in landfill site selection, primarily as an economic factor influencing transportation costs and accessibility. However, their environmental impact is also considered in some studies, highlighting the complex nature of landfill site selection processes that must balance various factors to find optimal locations. In this study, the criteria for proximity to Highways were defined as follows: 0-200 m is deemed unsuitable, 200 -300 m is considered suitable, and more than 300 m is most suitable.

Local Roads

The accessibility and consistent usability of the road are essential considerations for determining the suitability of landfill sites. In this study, the criteria for proximity to local roads were established based on the feasibility of local conditions and transport costs as follows: Depths of 0-50 m are regarded as unsuitable, while those between 50 and 150 m are viewed as suitable, and depths exceeding 150 m are classified as most suitable.

Residential Area

The distance from residential areas plays a crucial role in selecting suitable landfill sites, as highlighted by multiple studies: Residential areas are consistently considered a key criterion in landfill site selection processes. Based on these considerations, the buffer distance from the residential area is as follows: <300 m is unsuitable, 200 -400 m is suitable and >400 m is most suitable.

Commercial Space

Commercial space plays a significant role in landfill site suitability assessment, as it is an important factor to consider when selecting appropriate locations for waste disposal. Commercial space is a critical factor in the suitability assessment of landfill sites. In this study the buffer distance from the commercial space is as follows: <300 m is unsuitable, 200 -400 m is suitable and >400 m is most suitable.

Railway line

Proximity to transportation routes like railway lines or highways plays a significant role in environmental impact assessments for landfill sites, influencing both economic and environmental factors. In this study, the criteria for proximity to Railway line were defined as follows: 0-300 m is deemed unsuitable, 300 -400 m is considered suitable, and more than 400 m is most suitable.

Elevation: Elevation plays a significant role in determining landfill site suitability, as highlighted in several studies: Elevation is considered an important criterion in landfill site selection due to its impact on environmental and operational factors. Lower elevations are generally preferred for landfill sites to minimize the risk of contamination to surrounding areas and water sources (Mallick, 2021; Zandi et al., 2024).

The study area is situated in flat plain area eastern most part have some undulating hills. The elevation in this region varies from 401-573 meters. Based on literature the higher elevation area above 475m is deemed unsuitable, and low laying area below 425 m is suitable and area between 425-475m is most suitable.

Slope

Slope plays a crucial role in determining landfill site suitability across multiple studies: Slope is consistently identified as one of the key criteria for landfill site selection (Elkhrachy 2023) [61] . It is considered an important factor due to its influence on various landfill construction and operation aspects. Steeper slopes are generally less suitable for landfills as they can lead to increased runoff, soil erosion, and potential instability of the landfill structure (Karimi et al., 2018) [57] . Interestingly, in the study area, slope values range from 0.01• to 34•. Areas with slopes between 0• and 3• are considered most suitable. Slopes from 3• to 6• are suitable, >9• are not suitable. Analytic Hierarchy Process: AHP, introduced by Satty in 1980, utilizes pairwise comparison to assess the relative significance of the criteria (Saaty, 1980) [58] . This approach enables the prioritization of criteria and aids in intricate decision-making by breaking down criteria into hierarchical structures that incorporate both quantitative and qualitative elements (McIntyre & Parfitt, 1998) [37] . AHP is frequently applied in studies assessing the suitability of landfill sites, typically alongside Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and various multi-criteria decision-making approaches. The AHP methodology facilitates the allocation of weights to different criteria involved in the selection of landfill sites, enabling a structured and impartial assessment of prospective locations.

According to Saaty and Vargas in (Saaty & Vargas, 2012) [42] , the consistency ratio (CR) for pairwise comparisons should be below 10%. The Consistency Index (CI) was calculated using the following formula:

In this context, n represents the total number of criteria, while λmax signifies the average eigenvalue of the judgment matrix. A lower Consistency Index (CI) signifies enhanced consistency within the pairwise comparison matrix. The Consistency Ratio (CR) is calculated by dividing the Consistency Index (CI) by the Random Consistency Index (RI) corresponding to the specified value of n, as demonstrated in Table 3.

Table 3. Pairwise Comparison Matrix
Factor CriteriaResidential AreaDistance from HighwaysDistance from Local RoadsDistance from Railway lineGround water DepthWater BodyLULCSlopeElevationCommercial Establishment
Residential Area1121113535
Distance from Highways111111/21331
Distance from Local Roads1/2111/311/31331
Distance from Railwayline1131111353
Groundwater Depth111111/31131/3
Water Body1231312333
LULC1/311111/21351
Slope1/51/31/31/311/31/3121
Elevation1/31/31/31/51/31/31/51/211
Commercial Establishment1/5111/331/31111
Total6.566666679.6666666713.66666677.213.33333335.6666666711.533333323.52917.3333333

Table text extracted from the original PDF; superscript letters are shown inline. The original table image is below.

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Pairwise Comparison Matrix↗ Enlarge
Table 3
Pairwise Comparison Matrix

Pairwise Comparison Matrix

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(2) Random Index (RI) 0.00 0.00 0.58 0.90 1.12 1.24 1.32 1.41 1.45 1.51

Weighted Linear Combination (WLC): This approach is widely recognized as the primary technique for decisionmaking in GIS when it comes to developing composites. This approach facilitates the incorporation of multiple elements, assigning specific weights according to their significance, to produce a conclusive suitability or vulnerability map (Malczewski, 2000; Mvula et al., 2023; Vavatsikos et al., 2020) [54,59] . This study integrated the results from AHP with WLC to produce the final suitability map (Mvula et al., 2023) [62] . The Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method is employed to consolidate criteria weights and calculate the suitability index value for potential areas through the following formula:

In this context, Si represents the suitability index for area i, while wi indicates the weight of the criterion. Xij represents the value of the criterion, where n denotes the total number of criteria and Cj reflects the constraint score, which can take on values of either 0 or 1 (Gorsevski et al., 2012; Rezaeisabzevar et al., 2020) [25,60] . All ten map layers underwent standardization using ArcGIS, with each layer being "reclassified" via the spatial analyst tool. Classes were categorized with ranks ranging from 1 to 3, where 1 denotes not suitable, 2 indicates suitable, and 3 represents the most suitable option. Distance from Railwayline

Calculation of weightage using AHP Pairwise Comparison Matrix Calculation

Calculation of weightage using AHP Pairwise Comparison Matrix Calculation

Result and Discussion

Result and Discussion

Suitability condition of criteria

The total area for landfill suitability is categorized into three ranks: 1 signifies the least suitability or unsuitable, 3 denotes the highest suitability or most suitable, and 2 is classified as suitable. Table (7) and Figures 1 to 10 depict the spatial distribution of suitability classifications according to the established factor criteria.

Landfill Suitability

The final landfill suitability map was developed utilizing Eq. ( 3), which integrates the results from the MCDA and AHP pairwise comparison matrix as presented in Table 3.

The results show that approximately 5.05% of the area is appropriate for landfill use, whereas 6.21% is classified as highly suitable, and 88.73% is considered unsuitable. Simultaneously, the city is producing approximately 160 tons of waste each day, with an annual population growth rate of 2.1-2.2%. This growth necessitates a minimum of 20 hectares of land, although ideally, more than 50 hectares would be preferable to accommodate future requirements. Upon applying the necessary criteria and considering the wind direction (westerly and southwest), 12 appropriate sites have been identified: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, and S12, as illustrated in Figure 5. These sites fulfill the minimum requirements, with S1, S9, S12, S5, S10, and S11 being the most suitable due to their area exceeding 20 hectares. The landfill site was chosen ten years ago, and the area has since evolved into a bustling industrial center with a high population density. This study advances the establishment of clean and sustainable waste disposal sites while also addressing future implications for waste management.

Figure 5. Final landfill Suitability map
Final landfill Suitability map↗ Enlarge
Figure 5
Final landfill Suitability map

Final landfill Suitability map

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Original paper figureSource PDF · page 9 ↗

Conclusion and Recommendation:

The suitability map for the landfill site in Sikar City has been developed through the application of Geographic Information System (GIS), Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The analysis utilized GIS, MCDA, and AHP to evaluate a range of environmental factors, including water bodies, land use and land cover, and groundwater. It also took into account socio-economic factors such as highways, local roads, railway lines, residential areas, and commercial spaces, as well as topographic factors like slope and elevation, to identify the most appropriate landfill sites. The optimal locations are found in the eastern and north-eastern regions of the study area, including S1, S12, S9, S5, S10, S3, among others, and are deemed most suitable for the year 2031. The two locations can be evaluated from the northern sections S3 and S4, as well as the eastern sections S12 and S5, to minimize transportation expenses. This study illustrates the effectiveness of combining a multi-disciplinary approach with scientific techniques. This integration leads to negligible environmental, economic, and public health issues, which is a vital concern in developing countries such as India. The methodology employed is in harmony with the fundamental aims of Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 6. This underscores the critical need to safeguard our environment and public health in order to foster sustainable urban areas and ensure access to clean water and sanitation. This study holds considerable importance as it deepens the existing knowledge regarding the selection of suitable landfill sites in developing nations. Landfill locations must be chosen based on scientific criteria and should gain community approval. It is advisable for local governments to improve their capabilities and infrastructure facilities while incorporating GIS and MCDA methods for effective waste management. This method contributes to landfill selection and utilization that is more environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially acceptable.

Figures and tables from the paper

Figure 1. Location Map of Sikar City
Location Map of Sikar City↗ Enlarge
Figure 1
Location Map of Sikar City

Location Map of Sikar City

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Table 2. Random Index Value
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Table 2
Random Index Value

Random Index Value

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Table 4. Suitability Condition of Criteria
Sr. No.Factor CriteriaNot Suitable (%)Suitable (%)Most Suitable (%)Total (%)
1Residential Area10.9887.531.49100
2Distance from Highways9.34.586.2100
3Distance from Local Roads57.1236.046.84100
4Distance from Railway line4.574.1891.25100
5Groundwater Depth14.5558.7426.71100
6Water Body10.398.7100
7LULC39.857.872.33100
8Slope0.00410.2489.756100
9Elevation45.723.350.98100
10Commercial Establishment4.75.9289.38100

Table text extracted from the original PDF; superscript letters are shown inline. The original table image is below.

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Suitability Condition of Criteria↗ Enlarge
Table 4
Suitability Condition of Criteria

Suitability Condition of Criteria

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Figure 2. Factor criteria maps
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Figure 2
Factor criteria maps

Factor criteria maps

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Figure 3. Factor criteria maps
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Figure 3
Factor criteria maps

Factor criteria maps

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Figure 4. Overall Suitable sites
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Figure 4
Overall Suitable sites

Overall Suitable sites

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