KUALA KRAI: Kampung Batu Lada villagers claimed that a logging company which used the village as a transit point had caused serious soil erosion along the Kelantan river.
The villagers said the logging company's activities began last month when it used the village located along the Kelantan river near here to send logs to their destination.
Self-employed Rosman Baharun said the activity caused soil erosion at parts of the Kelantan riverbank.
The logging company's activities also damaged a road in the village as well as resulted in a landslide.
"Villagers are not happy when the company used the location as a transit point to keep the logs as the activity not only caused soil erosion to the bank but also damaged the road.
"The main road has been used by villagers over the years and the damage on the road will pose a danger to motorists," said the 49-year-old when met at the scene today.
Businessman Zamri Ibrahim, 43, claimed damage to the road was caused by lorries used by the company to transport the logs in and out of the place.
"The company also used a ferry to transport the logs from Ladang Taku on the other side of the river to the transit point.
"Villagers also suspected the logging company of cutting a hill near the transit point to harvest logs which led to a minor landslide," said the father of three.
Kampung Batu Lada village head Wan Hamizi Wan Hassan said the logging company has been warned recently not to use the village as their transit point.
"I was informed that the company was given a licence to carry out logging activities at Kampung Bahagia located on the other side of the river.
"However, they choose to use Ladang Taku as a shortcut and stored the logs at Kampung Batu Lada," he said.
He added the district council already sealed the area last week.
"Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely and hopefully, the company will obey the directive.
"Otherwise, the local authorities will not hesitate to take stern action against the owner," he said.