Illegal Construction Suspected In Yitong County

Authorities in Yitong County are investigating illegal construction projects on arable land and ecological zones. The investigation follows regulations prohibiting construction approvals on farmland and Yangtze River ecological zones. Local authorities confirmed to CNR Voice of China that the projects violate regulations and are urging companies to undergo rectification. The local civil affairs department stated that most companies must complete the conversion of these sites into columbaria by the end of July 2024. One converted site is reported to contain between 60 and 90 individual niches. Villagers claim the land used for the cemetery was previously their farmland. While villagers hold certificates identifying the land as basic farmland, natural resources department databases show the plots were reclassified as general farmland in 2017. Yitong County Magistrate Fu Wei stated that work loopholes existed during the 2018 certification process due to the timing of land reclassification data updates. Authorities identified several problematic permits as far back as last year during land surveys. The investigation focuses on land use changes occurring over a two to three-year period. Officials noted that data used during permit issuance may not have reflected the most current status at the time of the challenges. Excavators were observed operating in an area east of the Lansheng Garden in Changgen Ecological Park.