The field units of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been tasked with exploring the possibility of letting crocodiles and snakes thrive in the riverine stretches along the Bangladesh border as an anti-infiltration measure. According to a communication from the BSF headquarters, the units should explore the feasibility of letting the reptiles inhabit these water bodies, as it is in line with certain directions received from the Home Ministry, a report said.
"The feasibility of deploying reptiles (such as snakes or crocodiles) in vulnerable riverine gaps is to be explored and examined from an operational perspective," the communication from the BSF headquarters to its field units reportedly read. The communication reportedly stated that the "use of reptiles is in line with Home Minister Amit Shah's directions," The Hindu said in a report.
Meanwhile, the BSF faces certain challenges, including the procurement of the reptiles. The local population on either side of the border fence will face problems if the reptile population gets out of hand. The communication arrived following a meeting at the BSF headquarters in the national capital on 9 February. They have been asked only to explore whether such a move would work, and not to implement it, the daily pointed out.
Infiltration from Bangladesh is a major challenge for the BSF—often considered India's first line of defence. These areas also become a hub for several illegal activities, including smuggling. The topography and constant flooding make the fencing of this eastern border stretch almost impossible. 371 kilometres of the Indo-Bangladesh border remain unfenced, and this difficult geography is said to be the main reason for it remaining an open space. When the water bodies burst their banks, the presence of these animals could cause an issue for civilians. These regions contain several densely populated villages, reports claimed.
The government also wants the BSF to illuminate the border fences so that pitch-dark areas with limited connectivity cannot be exploited by cross-border criminal groups. The communication from the HQ has asked the field units to employ technology to build non-physical barriers against infiltrators who want to enter Indian soil.