Open landfill site and threat to the proximity resident’s: Addressing perceived consequences of unscientific solid waste dumping using GIS techniques
Abstract Municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal is a rapidly expanding sector that caters to the rising demand for disposal facilities; as a result, MSW treatment is becoming a significant challenge in concern to environmental and public health. The by-products of solid waste dumped in landfills have negative consequences on the environment and people living near disposal sites. This research aimed to assess whether the disposal of garbage in landfills affected the people who live near them. Consequently, residents living near MSW disposal facilities are exposed to various risks. A systematic questionnaire was devised and disseminated in this research to examine the adjacent people's concerns and attitudes around the landfill of the rapidly expanding Siliguri city of West Bengal. It was accomplished by assessing the opinions of persons living within the 1000m of the landfill site and how it impacts their life. The novelty of the research includes geographical analysis of physical impressions, including odour nuisance, breathing problems, impacts of flies and mosquitoes, water contamination, issues due to illegal burning, and health-related problems, which was conducted using geographic information system methodologies. Besides, the Landfill satisfaction index (LSI) tool was used to assess the perception of the people residing near the landfill. Also, to statistically validate the perception of the people related to the impact of landfills on their life, gamma coefficient (y) test of Goodman-Kruskal was applied. The findings reveal that the majority of the respondent within 600m are more susceptible to various risks due to unscientific landfill. Subsequently, a large portion of the responding sample was aware of the detrimental effects of landfills on the health and environment, therefore, individuals living near the dump yard preferred to live farther away. The findings also reveal that geographical proximity has a clear relationship between respondent perception and distance to the landfill. The study concludes with a discussion on how the research results may be beneficial for designing landfill sites and can be utilized by urban planners, environmentalists, and engineers.