Paradip, Dec. 2: The state forest department and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board would conduct an inquiry into allegations that pollution spread by a Paradip-based fertiliser plant was affecting the mangrove species in the Mahanadi delta region.

Environment activists have alleged that acidic and effluent discharge by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited plant into the Mahanadi and adjoining water bodies has taken a toll on the mangrove vegetation.

"We have apprised the district administration of the problem. The growth of mangroves has been retarded in large patches of the Mahanadi delta region," alleged green activist Sankhanad Behera.

"The board, jointly with the forest department, will shortly conduct a probe in the mangrove vegetation areas," said the board's regional officer Prasant Kumar Kar.

Slum dwellers near the plant are getting affected by pollution from gypsum, a mineral used for making fertilisers, Behera said.

Rajnagar mangrove forest divisional officer Bimal Prasanna Acharya said: "The department is looking into the alleged water pollution, which is reportedly impeding the growth of mangrove species. It will be studied with the assistance of the pollution control board."

"Our focus has always been on pollution control and industrial safety mechanism. The allegations that the fertiliser unit is perpetrating pollution are not quite true," said the plant's chief manager (human resources) Gyanedra Acharya.