On October 17th, a netizen posted a video showing several signs being placed in a vegetable field in Dazhu County, Sichuan Province by Zhuyang Street, with the signs stating that due to air pollution, planting is prohibited in this area, sparking heated discussions online.
The circulated video displayed multiple images of red signs erected near several vegetable plots. The signs read, “You have violated the relevant provisions of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law, and you are now prohibited from planting here,” signed by the Zhuyang Street office.
On October 17th, staff from the Zhuyang Street office in Dazhu County, Sichuan, responded to Da Wan News, stating that the land with the posted signs has already been requisitioned by the local government and cannot be used for farming.
“It’s not about planting contaminating the air, but rather someone had previously burned straw and weeds here,” the staff member explained. Due to the land being requisitioned, some individuals were still planting crops here illegally, burning straw and weeds. Since they couldn’t locate the culprits, the signs were put up. However, the message on the signs was not clear and they are planning to replace them.
This incident quickly sparked debates among the public.
“An unprecedented incident, now it’s illegal to grow food in your own land.” “Many leaders nowadays are out of touch with reality, unaware of the people’s hardships. The system of selection and appointment only focuses on those above and neglects those below.” “Requisitioning land but not using it, and then not allowing others to plant on it, and even claiming it pollutes the air, it’s ridiculous.” “The government seizes the land but doesn’t develop it, letting it go to waste, and doesn’t allow the common people to grow a few vegetables. Is this the right thing to do after not using it for ten years?”
“Nowadays, many lands are left idle for a long time, local governments monopolize and do not use them, which is a huge waste. In our village, there are hundreds of acres of fertile land that have been idle for over a decade without being used, and villagers are not allowed to grow vegetables. It’s truly mind-boggling.”