Eminent ornithologist, king of erstwhile Ganjam Sanakhemundi and three-time MLA from Mohana, Saheb Uday Narayan Dev passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. He was 87.
Dev was suffering from old age related ailments for the past couple of days. He breathed his last at around 11 pm on Wednesday.
He was elected from Mohana Assembly Constituency in Gajapati district three consecutive times in 1974, 1977 and 1980. Later, he carved a niche for himself as an ornithologist.
His exhaustive work on birds 'Vihanga Samhita' was released recently. He had also penned other books on birds. Moreover, he organised many awareness programmes centred on love and care of birds.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the demise of Uday Narayan Dev and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.
BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda also expressed grief at the passing way of Uday Narayan Dev. Taking to Twitter, Panda offered sympathy to the bereaved family.