Maharajbag zoo administration has banned entry of walkers in the zoo premises during morning hours from April 9. The decision was taken following a group clash a few days ago. One of the groups had lodged a complaint at Sitabuldi Police Station.

Taking a serious note of the incident, Dr D M Panchbhai, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Zoo Controller, Maharajbag Zoo released the order to ban entry of morning walkers inside the zoo premises before the official hours of the zoo.

“As per the directives of Central Zoo Authority (CZA), no walker should be allowed inside the zoo premises in the morning hours. The recent group clash created a law and order issue for us, hence the decision,” Zoo Controller Dr D M Panchbhai told ‘The Hitavada’.

“No zoo all over the country allows morning walkers inside its premises. But, in Nagpur, it was allowed following protests by morning walkers,” said Dr Panchbhai.

Dr Sunil Bawaskar, In-charge Officer of the zoo, said, “The morning walkers often feed biscuits, chapaties and other un-natural food to the caged animals, which is not allowed from the health point of view. Also, it is a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.”