GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal

Sushil Subedi; Ashok Thakulla; Yogesh Joshi

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11

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GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal

Sushil Subedi^*

, Ashok Thakulla, Yogesh Joshi

Published in American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering (Volume 9, Issue 1)

Received: 27 August 2024 Accepted: 18 September 2024 Published: 14 January 2025

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Abstract

Selecting an appropriate site for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal is a significant challenge in solid waste management (SWM) for local authorities, engineers, and urban planners. Rapid population growth, industrialization, diverse community characteristics, and limited land availability exacerbate this issue. Landfill site selection requires evaluating numerous factors, including environmental, social, and economic considerations, as well as adhering to various rules and spatial data. This paper presents an integrated approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), to select the most sustainable MSW disposal site in Kanchanpur district, Nepal. Criteria for site selection were derived from existing literature, including residential proximity, roads, water bodies, slopes, elevation, and national parks. GIS was used to develop criteria maps, and AHP was employed for pairwise comparison and normalization to assign weights to the criteria. The weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS was then used to evaluate the weighted criteria maps, categorizing the site suitability into five classes: “extremely suitable”, “considerably suitable”, “moderately suitable”, “slightly suitable”, and “restricted”. The suitability map identified the most suitable areas for waste disposal, with "extremely suitable" areas being ideal for immediate use, and "considerably suitable" areas offering potential for future development. This method demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating GIS and AHP for sustainable solid waste management site selection in challenging environments like Kanchanpur district.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering (Volume 9, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11
Page(s)	1-6
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Bhimdatta Municipality, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Kanchanpur, Multi Criteria Decision Analysis, Landfill Site

References

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[7]	Dolui S, Sarkar S. Identifying potential landfill sites using multicriteria evaluation modeling and GIS techniques for Kharagpur city of West Bengal, India. Environmental Challenges 2021; 5: 100243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100243
[8]	Makonyo M, Msabi MM. Potential landfill sites selection using GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis in Dodoma capital city, central Tanzania. GeoJournal 2022; 87: 2903–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10414-5
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[10]	Siekelova A, Podhorska I, Imppola JJ. Analytic Hierarchy Process in Multiple–Criteria Decision–Making: A Model Example. SHS Web of Conf 2021; 90: 01019. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20219001019
[11]	Pokhrel D, Viraraghavan T. Municipal solid waste management in Nepal: practices and challenges. Waste Management 2005; 25: 555–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2005.01.020
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[13]	Chandel AS, Weto AE, Bekele D. Geospatial technology for selecting suitable sites for solid waste disposal: a case study of Shone town, central Ethiopia. Urban, Planning and Transport Research 2024; 12: 2302531. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650020.2024.2302531
[14]	Dangi MB, Malla OB, Cohen RRH, Khatiwada NR, Budhathoki S. Life cycle assessment of municipal solid waste management in Kathmandu city, Nepal – An impact of an incomplete data set. Habitat International 2023; 139: 102895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2023.102895
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APA Style

Subedi, S., Thakulla, A., Joshi, Y. (2025). GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal. American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 9(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11

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ACS Style

Subedi, S.; Thakulla, A.; Joshi, Y. GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal. Am. J. Environ. Sci. Eng. 2025, 9(1), 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11

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AMA Style

Subedi S, Thakulla A, Joshi Y. GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal. Am J Environ Sci Eng. 2025;9(1):1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11,
  author = {Sushil Subedi and Ashok Thakulla and Yogesh Joshi},
  title = {GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-6},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajese.20250901.11},
  abstract = {Selecting an appropriate site for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal is a significant challenge in solid waste management (SWM) for local authorities, engineers, and urban planners. Rapid population growth, industrialization, diverse community characteristics, and limited land availability exacerbate this issue. Landfill site selection requires evaluating numerous factors, including environmental, social, and economic considerations, as well as adhering to various rules and spatial data. This paper presents an integrated approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), to select the most sustainable MSW disposal site in Kanchanpur district, Nepal. Criteria for site selection were derived from existing literature, including residential proximity, roads, water bodies, slopes, elevation, and national parks. GIS was used to develop criteria maps, and AHP was employed for pairwise comparison and normalization to assign weights to the criteria. The weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS was then used to evaluate the weighted criteria maps, categorizing the site suitability into five classes: “extremely suitable”, “considerably suitable”, “moderately suitable”, “slightly suitable”, and “restricted”. The suitability map identified the most suitable areas for waste disposal, with "extremely suitable" areas being ideal for immediate use, and "considerably suitable" areas offering potential for future development. This method demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating GIS and AHP for sustainable solid waste management site selection in challenging environments like Kanchanpur district.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal
AU  - Sushil Subedi
AU  - Ashok Thakulla
AU  - Yogesh Joshi
Y1  - 2025/01/14
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
SP  - 1
EP  - 6
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-7993
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11
AB  - Selecting an appropriate site for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal is a significant challenge in solid waste management (SWM) for local authorities, engineers, and urban planners. Rapid population growth, industrialization, diverse community characteristics, and limited land availability exacerbate this issue. Landfill site selection requires evaluating numerous factors, including environmental, social, and economic considerations, as well as adhering to various rules and spatial data. This paper presents an integrated approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), to select the most sustainable MSW disposal site in Kanchanpur district, Nepal. Criteria for site selection were derived from existing literature, including residential proximity, roads, water bodies, slopes, elevation, and national parks. GIS was used to develop criteria maps, and AHP was employed for pairwise comparison and normalization to assign weights to the criteria. The weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS was then used to evaluate the weighted criteria maps, categorizing the site suitability into five classes: “extremely suitable”, “considerably suitable”, “moderately suitable”, “slightly suitable”, and “restricted”. The suitability map identified the most suitable areas for waste disposal, with "extremely suitable" areas being ideal for immediate use, and "considerably suitable" areas offering potential for future development. This method demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating GIS and AHP for sustainable solid waste management site selection in challenging environments like Kanchanpur district.
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Sushil Subedi

Department of Geomatics Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-3980-5948
Ashok Thakulla

Department of Geomatics Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal

Contact Email
Yogesh Joshi

Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA

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APA Style

Subedi, S., Thakulla, A., Joshi, Y. (2025). GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal. American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 9(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11

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ACS Style

Subedi, S.; Thakulla, A.; Joshi, Y. GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal. Am. J. Environ. Sci. Eng. 2025, 9(1), 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11

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AMA Style

Subedi S, Thakulla A, Joshi Y. GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal. Am J Environ Sci Eng. 2025;9(1):1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11,
  author = {Sushil Subedi and Ashok Thakulla and Yogesh Joshi},
  title = {GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-6},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajese.20250901.11},
  abstract = {Selecting an appropriate site for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal is a significant challenge in solid waste management (SWM) for local authorities, engineers, and urban planners. Rapid population growth, industrialization, diverse community characteristics, and limited land availability exacerbate this issue. Landfill site selection requires evaluating numerous factors, including environmental, social, and economic considerations, as well as adhering to various rules and spatial data. This paper presents an integrated approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), to select the most sustainable MSW disposal site in Kanchanpur district, Nepal. Criteria for site selection were derived from existing literature, including residential proximity, roads, water bodies, slopes, elevation, and national parks. GIS was used to develop criteria maps, and AHP was employed for pairwise comparison and normalization to assign weights to the criteria. The weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS was then used to evaluate the weighted criteria maps, categorizing the site suitability into five classes: “extremely suitable”, “considerably suitable”, “moderately suitable”, “slightly suitable”, and “restricted”. The suitability map identified the most suitable areas for waste disposal, with "extremely suitable" areas being ideal for immediate use, and "considerably suitable" areas offering potential for future development. This method demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating GIS and AHP for sustainable solid waste management site selection in challenging environments like Kanchanpur district.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - GIS Based MCDA Selection of Waste Management Site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal
AU  - Sushil Subedi
AU  - Ashok Thakulla
AU  - Yogesh Joshi
Y1  - 2025/01/14
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
SP  - 1
EP  - 6
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-7993
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20250901.11
AB  - Selecting an appropriate site for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal is a significant challenge in solid waste management (SWM) for local authorities, engineers, and urban planners. Rapid population growth, industrialization, diverse community characteristics, and limited land availability exacerbate this issue. Landfill site selection requires evaluating numerous factors, including environmental, social, and economic considerations, as well as adhering to various rules and spatial data. This paper presents an integrated approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), to select the most sustainable MSW disposal site in Kanchanpur district, Nepal. Criteria for site selection were derived from existing literature, including residential proximity, roads, water bodies, slopes, elevation, and national parks. GIS was used to develop criteria maps, and AHP was employed for pairwise comparison and normalization to assign weights to the criteria. The weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS was then used to evaluate the weighted criteria maps, categorizing the site suitability into five classes: “extremely suitable”, “considerably suitable”, “moderately suitable”, “slightly suitable”, and “restricted”. The suitability map identified the most suitable areas for waste disposal, with "extremely suitable" areas being ideal for immediate use, and "considerably suitable" areas offering potential for future development. This method demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating GIS and AHP for sustainable solid waste management site selection in challenging environments like Kanchanpur district.
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
ER  -

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