Guwahati, June 23 -- The Assam Cabinet on Sunday approved proposals for notifying two 'beels' (waterbodies) in Goalpara as Proposed Reserve Forest (PRF) to maintain 'social and natural balance'. The Cabinet also gave its nod to a scheme for bringing back bodies of youths and students residing outside who die there.
It also declared transgenders as 'socially and educationally backward class'.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing a press conference after chairing the Cabinet, said, "Cabinet has approved the proposal to notify Urpad Beel area (1256 Ha) as a PRF under Section 5 of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891."
"This ecologically sensitive and biodiversity-rich wetland will be protected and conserved to strengthen conservation...