Four Pests Campaign

The Four Pests Campaign was an initiative launched in China during the late 1950s to improve public health by reducing pests like rats, flies, mosquitoes, and sparrows. It aimed to control these pests to prevent disease transmission and protect crops. The campaign involved public education, community efforts, and sometimes drastic measures such as destroying sparrow nests. While effective in lowering pest populations, the campaign also had unintended environmental impacts, like disrupting ecological balance. Overall, it was part of a broader effort to promote hygiene and health during that period.