Matuail landfill emits 4 tonnes of methane every hour: “Unbelievable” say experts | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 09, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 09, 2025
Matuail landfill emits 4 tonnes of methane every hour: “Unbelievable” say experts

Environment

Mehdi Al Amin
29 April, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 29 April, 2021, 04:11 pm

Related News

  • Toxic smoke chokes residents as fire burns Matuail landfill
  • How a plan to rescue Matuail landed Zareen the ‘Junior Nobel Prize’
  • Dhaka residents: Are we frogs that are being slowly boiled?
  • Matuail landfill’s per hour methane emission equivalent of running nearly 2 lakh cars, says study

Matuail landfill emits 4 tonnes of methane every hour: “Unbelievable” say experts

A 10-member technical committee of the environment ministry is to look into the matter

Mehdi Al Amin
29 April, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 29 April, 2021, 04:11 pm
According to GHGSat, an emission tracking company, Matuali landfill situated in Dhaka South emits four tonnes of methane gas into the atmosphere every hour, equaling the emission of 190,000 passenger cars. Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed
According to GHGSat, an emission tracking company, Matuali landfill situated in Dhaka South emits four tonnes of methane gas into the atmosphere every hour, equaling the emission of 190,000 passenger cars. Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed

GHGSat Inc, a Montreal, Canada-based emission-tracking company, says the Matuail landfill in Dhaka emits four tonnes of methane gas into the atmosphere every hour. Dhaka South City Corporation authorities and local experts termed this "unbelievable".

Methane raises atmospheric temperature 80 times more than carbon dioxide.

The ministry of environment has formed a committee for further investigation into GHGSAT findings.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Earlier, several global emission tracking companies reported the presence of methane in the skies of Dhaka, but now GHGSAT has reported specific emission sources.

GHGSat analysed images taken from their satellites on 17 April and found the landfill emits four tonnes of methane per hour equaling the emission of 190,000 passenger cars.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), which operates the landfill, says the methane emission estimation of GHGSat seems unbelievable.

Shafiullah Siddique Bhuiyan, project director of Matuail landfill, said, "It seems unbelievable that so much methane gas is being emitted. We will see on what basis they (GHGSat) have provided such information. We will look into the amount of methane and other gases."

Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, joint secretary (Climate Change-1) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, said a 10 member technical committee has been formed by the ministry to look into the matter.

Apart from ministry of environment officials, representatives of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Dhaka University, the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO), Dhaka South and Dhaka North City Corporation, BLRI, and the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute are also on the committee.

The committee will inspect the site to independently determine the methane emissions and submit a report within a month.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change and Director General (on routine duty) of the Department of Environment, Mohammad Moniruzzaman, is convener of the committee.

According to GHGSat, an emission tracking company, Matuali landfill situated in Dhaka South emits four tonnes of methane gas into the atmosphere every hour, equaling the emission of 190,000 passenger cars. Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed
According to GHGSat, an emission tracking company, Matuali landfill situated in Dhaka South emits four tonnes of methane gas into the atmosphere every hour, equaling the emission of 190,000 passenger cars. Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed

He said, "We have to find out the truth of what they said. Besides landfills, methane gas is also emitted from various sources including agricultural fields, industrial units, power plants, and fertiliser factories. Nothing can be said about the veracity of the claim until the committee reports."

"Methane emissions are insignificant in our country so we are not so worried, but we have to check the facts. We are all concerned about the matter," he added.

Besides the Matuail landfill, the committee will try to determine the amount of methane emissions from other sources too. The committee has not started to work on the matter yet. 

Joint Secretary Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik confirmed that a letter regarding the formation of the committee was issued on 25 April. However, Dhaka South City Corporation's Chief Waste Officer, Air Commodore Badrul Amin, said he still has no idea about the formation of the committee.

"Till now I am not aware of such a committee but we have the equipment to measure the amount of methane released from landfills," said Dr Md Rafiqul, chief scientific officer and head of the Soil Science Department of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).

Dr Ainun Nishat, professor emeritus at the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research at Brac University, thinks that such information on methane emissions is not reliable.

He said, "Here we do not have the main source of methane like a coal mine. We don't have a power plant here too. There is no question of a bursting gas pipeline. There is also no paddy field in the picture which has been shown."

"The picture shows the Tejgaon industrial area and Matuail. It also shows a little bit of methane in the Gulshan area and southern part of the airport. It is not showing Aminbazar, but the south of Aminbazar. Therefore, it is not clear on what basis it has been said that four tons of methane are being emitted from Matuail," he said.

"Methane is a light gas which does not stay in one place; it moves in the air. When it rains, it falls to the ground," he added.

Saying that methane is very harmful in the atmosphere, he suggested it was important to learn the real picture of methane emissions. At the same time, he said that regular monitoring is needed to reduce it.

Dr Ainun Nishat said, "Methane is 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in raising the temperature of the atmosphere. So, the emission of both gases should be reduced. It should be monitored regularly by the committee."

Shafiullah Siddique Bhuiyan, project director of Matuail landfill, said a preliminary feasibility study has been done on waste management of Matuail landfill.

The DSCC wants to move towards integrated waste management by conducting a detailed feasibility study.

 "The feasibility of various things including e-waste management, converting waste to electricity,and  compost fertiliser production will be assessed. Whatever is viable will be implemented," he added.
 

Bangladesh / Top News

Matuail Landfill

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Audit reports of most banks contain cooked up data: BB governor
  • Workers pack undergarments at the packing section of a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 19, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Fatima Tuj Johora
    After US tariffs, jobs hang by a thread in Bangladesh's garments sector
  • Global Islami Bank rectifies 2023 figures, reports major loss instead of profit
    Global Islami Bank rectifies 2023 figures, reports major loss instead of profit

MOST VIEWED

  • None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
    None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
  • File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Bangladesh faces economic impact as US introduces 35% tariff on exports
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Bangladesh reserves above $24b even after making $2b ACU payment 
  • Electric buses for capital: Tk2,500cr to be spent in 2 years
    Electric buses for capital: Tk2,500cr to be spent in 2 years
  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    35% US tariff to be disastrous for Bangladesh's exports, say economists and exporters
  • Clashes took place between police and protesters in Sylhet on 2 August. Photo: TBS
    Hasina authorised deadly crackdown on protesters during 2024 July uprising, BBC verifies leaked audio

Related News

  • Toxic smoke chokes residents as fire burns Matuail landfill
  • How a plan to rescue Matuail landed Zareen the ‘Junior Nobel Prize’
  • Dhaka residents: Are we frogs that are being slowly boiled?
  • Matuail landfill’s per hour methane emission equivalent of running nearly 2 lakh cars, says study

Features

Dr Mostafa Abid Khan. Sketch: TBS

Actual impact will depend on how US retailers respond: Mostafa Abid Khan

1d | Economy
Thousands gather to form Bangla Blockade in mass show of support. Photo: TBS

Rebranding rebellion: Why ‘Bangla Blockade’ struck a chord

1d | Panorama
The Mitsubishi Xpander is built with families in mind, ready to handle the daily carpool, grocery runs, weekend getaways, and everything in between. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Now made-in-Bangladesh: 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander

2d | Wheels
Students of different institutions protest demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular cancelling quotas in recruitment in government jobs. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

5 July 2024: Students announce class boycott amid growing protests

4d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

What was discussed in the MBS-Araghchi meeting?

What was discussed in the MBS-Araghchi meeting?

27m | TBS World
Not only Hasina but also Awami League should be tried: Mirza Fakhrul

Not only Hasina but also Awami League should be tried: Mirza Fakhrul

2h | TBS Today
Trump considering sanctions on Russia

Trump considering sanctions on Russia

3h | TBS World
Iran receives missile shipment from China

Iran receives missile shipment from China

5h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net