India is exploring the possibility of deploying snakes and crocodiles along its extensive border with Bangladesh as a natural deterrent against unauthorized crossings, the Border Security Force (BSF) revealed on Wednesday. This initiative aims to address challenges posed by the largely unfenced riverine stretches of the border, which extends over 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) and traverses delta regions where Himalayan rivers flow toward the sea.
Manoj Barnwal, deputy inspector general of the BSF stationed in Kolkata near the Bangladesh border, disclosed that the idea of using reptiles was discussed during a February meeting with the Home Ministry. He explained that the plan focuses on leveraging natural deterrents such as crocodiles and snakes in vulnerable, flood-prone riverine gaps where conventional fencing is either ineffective or impractical.
The India-Bangladesh border cuts through the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, adding complexity to border management efforts. Barnwal acknowledged that while the proposal is innovative, it presents several challenges, including concerns about the safety of local villagers living along the riverine border. Questions remain about how to procure the reptiles and assess their impact on the local population.
Field units have been tasked with studying the feasibility of this approach and are expected to submit their reports promptly. Meanwhile, diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have been strained following the 2024 protests in Bangladesh that ended the autocratic rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who subsequently fled to India.
In a significant development, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman visited New Delhi on Wednesday, marking the highest-level diplomatic engagement since the 2024 uprising, aimed at mending the frosty ties between the two countries.
India has already constructed hundreds of kilometers of border fencing and detained numerous Bangladeshis attempting to cross illegally. The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained a stringent stance on immigration, particularly from Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Senior Indian officials have controversially described migrants as “termites” and “infiltrators,” while human rights organizations accuse India of forcibly pushing Bengali-speaking Muslims back into Bangladesh without due process.
