Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) authorities were forced to close the zoo Wednesday after Congress activists led by Jatni MLA Suresh Routray staged a demonstration before its main gate.
The decision was taken to avoid any inconvenience to the visitors, zoo authorities said. However, a larger number of tourists who had braved incessant rains to visit the zoo had to go back dissatisfied.
Congress leader Routray and his followers were opposing dumping of garbage near Daruthenga. They alleged that herpes virus, that claimed the lives of four elephants in Nandankanan zoo in less than a month recently, is spreading from Daruthenga dumping yard.
The protestors shouted anti-government slogans over the elephant deaths and demanded shifting of the dumping yard from Daruthenga village. Besides, they demanded the government to take necessary steps to protect the wildlife in the zoo.
Congress activists also warned of further strengthening their agitation, if the government didn’t address the issues they raised.
