Outside the Cuizhu Temple in Fuwei, Huichang county. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/China Daily]

Guo Jinghong said the local government decided to take action because "with the (number of) people increasing year by year, the hidden troubles are becoming more and more".

"Being merciful and living together in harmony is what Laigong encourages citizens to do – killing ducks and (having) blood flow into rivers is inconsistent with Laigong’s will," he said

Huichang county, in south-east China’s Jiangxi province, has a population of around 500,000 people.

A market-stall operator near Fuwei’s Cuizhu Temple claims at least 10,000 paper and plastic ducks were given away during last year’s festival.

This year, local officials will also try to reduce the use of fireworks.

"As it brings too much noise and pollution," Guo Jinghong said.