Logging companies found violating conditions in their licence will face stern action, including an order to cease their logging activities immediately, said Kedah Forestry Department deputy director Mohd Rahim Ramli.

In the latest incident, he said, a stop-work order was issued to a company conducting logging activities in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve in Sik after it was found to have breached conditions of its logging licence.

He said the action was taken following a special operation conducted since Feb 27 during which the company was found to be felling quality class trees of the meranti species which were not tagged.

"2,500 meranti timber logs and three machines were seized from the company to facilitate investigation under Section 25 of the National Forestry Act 1984.

"The company was taking advantage of the licence issued to them by felling 80 percent meranti timber and switching the tags on the trees," he said in a statement.

He said the company was also believed to have cut down trees in the buffer zone area.

- Bernama