Abandoned Borrow Pits; Risk Factors and Reclamation Procedure

摘要

Abandoned borrow pits and the associated risks are on the increase following rising trend in road construction in many developing countries. Notable risk factors include: frequent sliding, loss of life and ecosystem services, groundwater contamination, and loss of arable land. Reclamation of borrow pits should go by earth-moving; moving spoil heap and adjoining land area to fill the pit. This is followed by compaction and in-situ and laboratory testing to achieve the original geotechnical ground condition. Operators, host community and the government agency must agree and enforce reclamation of borrow pits soon after use. Borrow pits should be properly sited, planned and designed by professionals, with provision of appropriate safety measures. Reclaiming a borrow pit should be as important as opening a borrow pit, towards sustainable engineering and environment.