Paper Title
LANDFILL SITE SELECTION SUITABILITY ANALYSIS USING GIS AND REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES AND MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING METHOD (MCDM): AREKA TOWN, WOLAITA ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract
Municipal solid waste management isa cross-cutting issue for modern societiesdue to changes in consumption patterns, urbanization, population growth, and industrialization. Improper solid waste disposal significantly affects public health, soil, air, water, and environmental quality. In the present study area, solid wastes generated in the town have been thrown on open dumping sites, near rivers, roadsides, streets, and public places due to the lack of landfill sites based on scientific study results. To address the mentioned problem, environmental constraints (elevation, slope, drainage density, river networks, rainfall, soil type, and so on), socio-economic constraints (population density, road networks, institutions, LULC, and so on) and spectral indices (Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI)) were considered for landfill site sitting. Input datasets were obtained from various agencies and organizations through remote sensing andanalyzed using the ArcGIS 10.8.2 software.Theranks were assigned to individual constraints considering the expert opinion surveys,field survey experiences, and existing literature. Weight assignment,pair-wise and normalized pair-wise comparison matrix, and consistency index value werecalculated.The study revealed that about 472.41 ha. (4.8%), 6591.69 ha. (66.97%), 2764.98 ha. (28.09%)and 13.95 ha. (0.14%) of the study area is suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, andunsuitable for landfill siting respectively. The findings can support decision-makers, policymakers, municipal officials, and experts in indicatingsuitable landfill sites, helping in effective monitoring, planning, and sustainable solid waste management practices. Keywords - Areka Town, Constraints, GIS, Remote Sensing, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Suitable Landfill Sites