India considers using reptiles as border security measure with Bangladesh

India Considers Unconventional Border Security Measure

New Delhi, India - The Indian government has proposed using venomous snakes and crocodiles as natural deterrents along its border with Bangladesh, where fencing is not feasible due to challenging terrain.

The plan, which was recently ordered by the Border Security Force (BSF), aims to prevent undocumented migration and smuggling in riverine stretches of the 4,096km-long border. The BSF has identified certain areas as “vulnerable” where erecting fencing is difficult, and is exploring the use of reptiles to address these challenges.

The proposed measure has sparked concerns among human rights activists and wildlife conservationists, who argue that it poses risks for local communities on both sides of the border and could harm the ecosystem. The India-Bangladesh border spans across several Indian states, including West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.

According to the BSF’s internal communication, personnel at its headquarters have been instructed to explore the feasibility of deploying reptiles in these areas. The government has fenced nearly 3,000km of the border, but the remaining stretches include marshy and riverine areas with local populations living on either side.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reported last year that the BSF has successfully curbed illegal cross-border activities and undocumented migration from Bangladesh. However, the report also noted that certain areas, such as riverine/low-lying areas, have slowed down fencing installation due to land acquisition issues and protests by border communities.

Analysts and activists have expressed alarm at the prospect of using venomous animals to deter refugees and migrants. “This would be hilarious if it weren’t sinister and dangerous,” said Angshuman Choudhury, a researcher with a focus on northeastern and eastern Indian border states.

Source: Al Jazeera