A recent global study has placed two major Indian landfill sites among the world’s highest methane emitting waste disposal locations, raising serious environmental concerns about urban waste management. The findings are based on research conducted by the University of California Los Angeles STOP Methane Project, which analysed emissions detected from satellite data.
The study identified the Jawahar Nagar landfill in Hyderabad and the Kanjurmarg landfill in Mumbai as part of the top 25 super polluting methane emission sites across 18 countries.
According to the report, these landfill sites release significant amounts of methane gas into the atmosphere. The Hyderabad site has been estimated to emit around 5.9 tonnes of methane per hour, while the Mumbai site emits approximately 4.9 tonnes per hour. Both sites are ranked among the highest contributors globally.
The study highlights that methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas with a much stronger warming effect compared to carbon dioxide over a short period. It is considered one of the key drivers of near term global warming and climate change impacts.
Researchers noted that the emissions were measured using satellite based monitoring systems, which allow for large scale detection of methane leaks from waste facilities. This approach helps identify major pollution sources that may not be easily tracked through ground based monitoring.
The report also provides context to the scale of emissions, stating that a landfill emitting around 5 tonnes of methane per hour can have a warming impact comparable to a large number of vehicles. This comparison highlights the environmental significance of uncontrolled methane release from waste sites.
The inclusion of the Jawahar Nagar landfill and Kanjurmarg landfill in the global list points to challenges faced by rapidly growing urban centres in managing solid waste effectively. Large population density and increasing waste generation contribute to pressure on existing landfill infrastructure.
Experts suggest that improper waste segregation, organic waste decomposition, and lack of methane capture systems are major factors contributing to high emissions from landfill sites. Improving waste management systems and adopting methane recovery technologies could help reduce emissions significantly.
The study ranked landfill sites based on emission intensity, with the highest recorded site located in Argentina. Indian sites were among several global locations identified for high emission levels, indicating that the issue is not limited to one region.
Environmental scientists emphasise the importance of addressing methane emissions as part of broader climate change mitigation efforts. Reducing emissions from waste management systems is considered a cost effective way to limit global warming in the short term.
Urban authorities in India have been increasingly focusing on waste management reforms, including segregation at source, recycling initiatives, and scientific landfill management. However, the latest findings suggest that more targeted interventions may be required to control emissions from existing landfill sites.
The report serves as a reminder of the environmental challenges associated with urban waste disposal and the need for sustainable long term solutions.
