Citizens protest against ban on morning walk in Maharajbag

 

 

 

Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), on Saturday, closed the gates of Maharajbag Zoo for morning walkers, which drew protest by people, who regularly visit the garden to do exercise and morning walk for the last many years. PDKV took the decision on Thursday after a group clash that happened a few days ago in the zoo premises. Thereafter, the clash led to a police complaint in Sitabuldi Police Station. The administration imposed this ban to maintain law and order. “As per the directives of Central Zoo Authority (CZA), no morning-walkers should be allowed inside the zoo premises in the morning hours. The recent group clash created a law and order issue for us. Hence, this decision has been taken,” Zoo Controller Dr D M Panchbhai told ‘The Hitavada’.

 

The morning-walkers feed biscuits, chapaties and many other unnatural food to the wild animals, which is not allowed from the health point of view and it is a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The CZA, that monitors the functioning of zoos in the country, had also issued an ultimatum to Maharajbagh zoo in this regard. CZA had directed the zoo authorities to restrict morning-walkers to garden premises only and keep them away from the zoo. But, they failed to restrict them due to a lot of protest against the stand and the authority re-opened the gates for morning-walkers.

 

However, this time, the zoo authority implemented the ban due to the violation of law and order. Like other days, morning-walkers went to Maharajbag zoo where they found the gates were closed and a notice was also hung, informing them about the order of restriction. Many citizens started raising slogans outside the gate and demanding to open the premises for morning walk and exercise.