Is it illegal to dig fish ponds in paddy fields?

Legal analysis: it is illegal. Basic farmland is protected by law and cannot be turned into fish ponds without permission. Therefore, it is illegal to change paddy fields into fish ponds.

Legal basis: Article 36 of the Land Management Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that non-agricultural construction must save land and land use. Those who can use wasteland shall not occupy cultivated land; Those who can use inferior land shall not occupy good land. It is forbidden to occupy cultivated land to build kilns and graves, or to build houses, dig sand, quarry, mine or borrow soil on cultivated land without authorization. It is forbidden to occupy basic farmland to develop forestry and fruit industry and dig ponds to raise fish.