NEED TO KNOW
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India is exploring using crocodiles and venomous snakes as a “biological barrier” along unfenced border areas with Bangladesh
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Officials are assessing the feasibility of this plan in flood-prone regions where traditional fencing is difficult to construct
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Wildlife experts warn that the proposal could harm ecosystems and pose safety risks to local communities near the border
India is considering an unconventional proposal for border enforcement that includes deploying crocodiles and venomous snakes along river-lined stretches of its border with Bangladesh, where building fencing is difficult.
According to the Independent, the proposal is being discussed internally by the Border Security Force (BSF) as an alternative to physical barriers in flood-prone and marshy terrain. While India has invested heavily in border fencing, roughly 20% of the border remains open. Of the roughly 530 miles still unfenced, about 110 miles are considered unsuitable for construction due to shifting waterways and flooding risks.
Conversations about introducing reptiles into the area reportedly appeared in internal notes, including a March 26 communication from BSF headquarters asking field units to determine whether the plans were feasible from an “operational perspective.”
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel inspect a truck carrying supplies to Bangladesh at the India-Bangladesh border on August 7, 2024
Credit: DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP via Getty
Reporting from The Times and local outlets indicates that the proposal has been framed as a potential “biological barrier.” Northeast News reported discussions date back to at least early February, when BSF director-general Praveen Kumar chaired a meeting on the issue.
The proposal remains in its early stages, as officers have already flagged significant challenges, including risks to local communities and the difficulty of controlling animals in open river systems.
Wildlife experts have also warned that introducing or concentrating predators could disrupt ecosystems and create unintended safety hazards.
The development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government continue to take a hardline stance on illegal immigration. Authorities have expanded surveillance measures in recent years, including the use of drones and infrared cameras.
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While the reptile deployment proposal has drawn global attention, officials stress it remains under review as one of several strategies being explored.
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