A massive waste dump on the outskirts of Hyderabad has drawn global attention for the wrong reasons. The Jawahar Nagar landfill has been ranked as the fourth-largest methane-emitting waste site in the world, according to an international study, highlighting the growing environmental and public health crisis linked to unmanaged urban waste in India.
The findings come from researchers at the University of California Los Angeles as part of their “Stop Methane Project,” which uses satellite-based data to track emissions from major waste sites globally. The Jawahar Nagar landfill recorded methane emissions of 5.9 tonnes per hour, placing it behind only sites in Buenos Aires, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, significantly more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over shorter time periods. According to the study, a landfill emitting around 5 tonnes of methane per hour can have a climate impact equivalent to nearly one million SUVs on the road or a 500-megawatt coal-fired power plant.
The data, sourced from the Carbon Mapper platform for 2025, shows that emissions at Jawahar Nagar were not isolated incidents. The site was observed multiple times throughout the year, with methane plumes detected on at least seven different days. The highest recorded emission spike reached 11.1 tonnes per hour on December 5, 2025, underlining the scale and inconsistency of the problem.
The landfill itself contains an estimated 12 million metric tonnes of legacy waste, making it one of the largest dumping grounds in the country. For residents living in nearby colonies, the consequences have been severe and long-standing. Complaints of unbearable stench, air pollution and contaminated water have persisted for decades, raising serious concerns about quality of life and health risks.
The issue has also reached legal forums, with a case filed before the National Green Tribunal. Following interim directions from the tribunal, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has engaged Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to provide technical expertise and scientific assessment for managing both legacy and ongoing waste at the site.
The inclusion of Jawahar Nagar in the global top emitters list also underscores a broader challenge for rapidly urbanising nations like India. With cities generating increasing volumes of solid waste, the lack of efficient segregation, processing and scientific landfill management is contributing not only to local pollution but also to global climate change.
Notably, Mumbai is the only other Indian city featured in the top 25 methane-emitting waste sites worldwide, ranking 12th on the list.
Experts say the findings should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to prioritise waste management reforms, including methane capture, waste segregation and scientific landfill remediation. Without urgent intervention, such sites will continue to pose both environmental and human health risks while significantly contributing to global warming.
As cities expand and consumption rises, the Jawahar Nagar case stands as a stark reminder that unmanaged waste is no longer just a local issue—it is a global climate concern demanding immediate and sustained action.