Nandankanan zoo closed following protest by Jatni MLA

(Reporters Today, Bhubaneswar): Authorities of Nandankanan Zoological Park closed the zoo on Wednesday after locals headed by the Congress MLA Suresh Routray staged a protest opposing dumping of garbage near Daruthenga. The Jatni MLA alleged that herpes virus is spreading from the Daruthenga dumping yard which have claimed lives of four elephants at Nandankanan zoo in less than a month.

The protesters sat on a dharna in front of the main gate of the zoo holding banners and placards. They also shouted anti-Government slogans over the deaths of elephant and demanded shifting of the dumping yard from Daruthenga.

Further, as part of the protest the activists threatened that they would intensify their protest in coming days if the Government fails to come up with a proper solution. Meanwhile, the zoo authorities have closed the zoo for the visitors to avoid any unforeseen incident during the protest.