The Border Security Force (BSF) is examining a proposal to release crocodiles and snakes into certain riverine stretches along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border as a potential measure to prevent illegal crossings and cross-border crimes, officials said on Monday.

The idea was discussed at a February 9 meeting at BSF headquarters in Delhi, chaired by Director General Praveen Kumar. Following the meeting, field units were asked to provide feedback on its feasibility, in line with directives from the Union Home Minister to enhance operational effectiveness.

Data from the Ministry of Home Affairs shows that approximately 856 km of the border remain unfenced due to difficult terrain, including dense forests and rivers.

The proposal focuses on these vulnerable riverine areas, but several field commanders have expressed concerns. They noted the approach may be impractical in populated regions and could pose risks to residents, particularly during floods.

A senior BSF official said the force is reviewing the feedback from field units. “This was just an idea to assess feasibility,” the officer told PTI.

Other measures being implemented include advanced surveillance technologies aimed at securing the porous border, which is susceptible to infiltration, human trafficking, drug smuggling, fake currency circulation, and arms trafficking.