In an innovative approach to border security, the Border Security Force (BSF) 32nd battalion is utilizing beekeeping to tackle cross-border smuggling and infiltration from Bangladesh. According to a report by News18, this unique strategy has been deployed along the Bangladesh-India border in West Bengal’s Nadia district.
The initiative, which began in November 2023 as part of the government’s Vibrant Village program, involves BSF jawans learning to manage apiaries—structures housing bee colonies. This unconventional method aims to create a natural deterrent for illegal activities. The presence of bees near the border has reportedly caused cow smugglers and infiltrators to maintain a significant distance, effectively reducing smuggling incidents and attempted border crossings.
A BSF official highlighted that since the installation of apiaries, cases of fence cutting and illegal entry by Bangladeshis have drastically decreased. “We were frequently dealing with fence breaches and smuggling operations. However, since setting up the apiaries, these issues have diminished almost to zero,” said Commandant Sujeet Kumar.
The success of this beekeeping strategy has prompted plans to replicate the model across other BSF units stationed along the Bangladesh border. Additionally, the initiative offers retiring jawans the possibility of pursuing beekeeping as a post-service vocation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently held a review meeting to assess the effectiveness of this and other border security measures. The meeting focused on progress in communications with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and ensuring the safety of minority communities in border areas. The BGB has committed to taking necessary actions to address concerns raised by the Indian side.
In addition to technological and natural deterrents like beekeeping, the BSF has been engaging with local villages through coordination meetings to enlist community support in preventing illegal activities. Over 600 such meetings have been conducted in the past two weeks to strengthen border security and local cooperation.
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