A campaign eliminated billions of sparrows to protect crops in 1958; the birds' disappearance accidentally triggered one of history's most devastating locust plagues
- A campaign intended to protect China's food supply became one of history's starkest examples of ecological miscalculation.
- In 1958, Mao Zedong's government targeted sparrows under the nationwide Four Pests Campaign because the birds were believed to consume valuable grain.
- Millions of citizens were mobilised to destroy nests, break eggs and drive the birds from the skies.
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- A campaign intended to protect China's food supply became one of history's starkest examples of ecological miscalculation.
- In 1958, Mao Zedong's government targeted sparrows under the nationwide Four Pests Campaign because the birds were believed to consume valuable grain.
- Millions of citizens were mobilised to destroy nests, break eggs and drive the birds from the skies.
Sources: Times of India