Patna, Oct. 18: Cycling seems to be given more priority by the environment and forest department officials than to save biodiversity.

The forest department has failed to activate the state biodiversity board as mandated by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, even after 12 years. Officials claimed that though the board was constituted “on paper” around a year ago but the rules to govern it are yet to be formed. The board also has not hold even single meeting till date.

On the other hand, “Cycle Chalo, Paryavaran Bachao” scheme, a brainchild of forest department secretary Vivek Kumar Singh, is being pursued by the department with “all sincerity”.

Singh said: “The process for functioning of biodiversity board, creation of wetlands board as well as reconstitution of state wildlife board is on. The biodiversity board would work according to its terms of reference,” said Singh.