Going to Sekinchan for a short getaway is a popular activity especially if you live in the Klang Valley. One of the things that attract people the most is none other than its lush paddy fields which undoubtedly make an awesome spot for those #ootd shots on your Instagram.
Source: UFood
However, if you love taking photos with the paddy fields then please be careful because you could be spoiling those poor farmers’ crops! With the recent school holidays and Hari Raya celebrations, there was an increase in the amount of tourists flocking to Sekinchan and the rice farmers are complaining that their paddy fields are being destroyed by inconsiderate tourists, Oriental Daily reported.
Rice farmers in Sekinchan have already put up signboards around their paddy fields warning tourists not to step into the fields but these tourists clearly did not pay any attention. Instead, they continued plowing through the fields to find the perfect spot for their photos and in the process, they trampled on the crops and caused the farmers to suffer losses. We hope you are not one of these tourists!
Source: UFood
Source: Oriental Daily
This year, the number of tourists in Sekinchan during Hari Raya increased by 20% compared to last year which coincided with the harvest period of the paddy fields. Currently, the farmers harvest twice a year in June and December so, imagine their losses when inconsiderate tourists destroy their crops!
The Sekinchan Tourism Association said that they have also tried their best to educate the tourists who visit the little village via messages in the newspapers or pamphlets but they still did not heed their advice. They said that they understood that people love to take beautiful photos amidst Sekinchan’s verdant paddy fields but there was no need to trample through the crops. True!
Source: Sinchew
Source: Sinchew
In fact, they pointed out that if you have visited the fields, you would notice that there are actually ready-made lanes that allow people to walk through without disturbing the fields. Yet, people are still inconsiderately crushing the crops!
The rice farmers said that they welcome visitors to their farms to understand more about the growing process of the paddy but feel sad when tourists do not heed their warning signs or appreciate their hard work in growing the rice.
Source: Sinchew
We can all be more considerate and not destroy someone else’s livelihood just for that “perfect” Instagram photo, right? This is not a new phenomenon, so don’t you think it’s time to change that mentality and be better human beings? 🙂
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