Paradip, July 29: Tidal forest cover stands ravaged along a creek meandering on the outskirts of the port township, making mockery of the mangrove conservation programme.

Mangrove tress are being felled along the Kaudia creek that traverses through the southern part of Paradip port. Machines have been deployed to pull down the trees to facilitate permanent construction in the deforested area.

"Environment pollution has assumed alarming proportion in the port township and its peripheral areas," said environment activist Sankhanad Behera. as the port township needs green barrier unsoiled environment in the unlawful act to rush to the spot to stop the felling of trees. They have been asked to book the offenders and make a seizure of the machineries and tools used for cutting down the mangrove species."

To make up the loss of tree cover, the department will regenerate mangrove along the denuded patches, he said.