What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

Examiners may confuse 'physical fence' with 'non-physical barrier' (floodlight-illuminated fences) already sanctioned. Also, note that the article mentions Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary will remain 'touched' but not directly affected according to BSF.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 90-km stretch in Sundarbans mangroves 2. Target this Nodal Body: Border Security Force (BSF) under Ministry of Home Affairs 3. Target this Legal Point: Land acquisition under the 2013 Act; compensation for landless

News 0 of 24

BSF Proposes 90-km Fence in Sundarbans: Security vs Ecology Debate Intensifies

Q: Which Union Ministry is primarily responsible for the Border Security Force (BSF)?

Ministry of Home Affairs, The BSF is a central armed police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, responsible for guarding India's international borders, including the Indo-Bangladesh border mentioned in the article.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the proposed BSF fence in the Sundarbans: 1. The fence is proposed along a 90-km stretch of mangrove forests in the Indo-Bangladesh border. 2. The BSF earlier explored releasing snakes and crocodiles into rivers to deter illegal activities. 3. All experts agree that the fence will not affect the biodiversity of the Sundarbans. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 2, Statement 1 is correct as the article mentions a 90-km stretch. Statement 2 is correct as the BSF earlier explored releasing snakes and crocodiles. Statement 3 is incorrect because experts are divided; some fear adverse effects on wildlife movement.

Q: What is the length of the Sundarbans stretch under BSF feasibility study for fencing?

90 km, The article explicitly states that the BSF is studying a 90-km stretch of mangrove forests in the Indo-Bangladesh border for erecting fences.

Q: What is a primary ecological concern raised by scientists regarding the proposed fence in the Sundarbans?

Disruption of wildlife movement across rivers and sandbanks, The article quotes a scientist who fears the fence could adversely affect movement of species like deer, wild boar, crocodiles, and tigers that constantly cross rivers and sandbanks. Other options are not mentioned.

Environment Security & DefenceHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCPrelims MediumMains HighStatic GK Link

20 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:90 km stretchSundarbans mangrovesIndo-Bangladesh border

Bodies:BSFSundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.BSF initiated a feasibility study for a 90-km physical fence in the Sundarbans mangroves on the Indo-Bangladesh border.

2.Experts are divided: some warn of ecological damage to mangroves and wildlife, others support regulatory control in non-protected areas.

3.Land acquisition poses a challenge as most households are landless; previous embankment projects led to displacement without compensation.

The Big Picture

Prelims · MediumMains · High

The BSF is studying a 90-km physical fence in the Sundarbans mangroves along the Indo-Bangladesh border to deter infiltration. This raises critical environment vs security debate, with experts warning of adverse effects on tiger habitat, wildlife movement, and landless communities. Important for UPSC GS3 (Environment & Security).

Exam Lens

1-Minute Revision

›Target this Data: 90-km stretch in Sundarbans mangroves
›Target this Nodal Body: Border Security Force (BSF) under Ministry of Home Affairs
›Target this Legal Point: Land acquisition under the 2013 Act; compensation for landless

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

🔒

Security Proposal

BSF studies 90-km fence in Sundarbans to curb infiltration from Bangladesh, after earlier controversial idea of releasing snakes/crocodiles.

🌿

Ecology at Risk

Fence could disrupt movement of tigers, deer, wild boar, and crocodiles in the fluid land-water dynamics of the Sundarbans delta.

👥

Social Impact

Majority of Sundarbans households are landless; previous land acquisition for embankments led to displacement without rehabilitation.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Indo-Bangladesh border in the Sundarbans is porous, with dense mangroves, creeks, and swamps making physical fencing difficult. BSF currently uses patrols, surveillance cameras, and floodlight-illuminated fences. This proposal follows a controversial earlier idea of using snakes and crocodiles to deter illegal activities.

Core Analysis & Implications

Installing physical fences in the Sundarbans is ecologically challenging. The delta's land-water dynamics are fluid, with constant erosion and accretion forming new sandbanks where mangroves emerge. A fence could hinder wildlife movement, especially tigers that swim across rivers. While some experts argue that fencing in non-protected areas may not harm the ecosystem, others highlight that border crossings for labour and family visits will continue, becoming riskier.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The BSF must balance security needs with ecological sensitivity. Alternatives like enhanced surveillance, community-based border management, and diplomatic solutions with Bangladesh may be more sustainable. Land acquisition must include fair compensation and rehabilitation for the landless. The outcome of the feasibility study will be crucial.

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which Union Ministry is primarily responsible for the Border Security Force (BSF)?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the proposed BSF fence in the Sundarbans:

1. The fence is proposed along a 90-km stretch of mangrove forests in the Indo-Bangladesh border.

2. The BSF earlier explored releasing snakes and crocodiles into rivers to deter illegal activities.

3. All experts agree that the fence will not affect the biodiversity of the Sundarbans.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

What is the length of the Sundarbans stretch under BSF feasibility study for fencing?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Teaching

What is a primary ecological concern raised by scientists regarding the proposed fence in the Sundarbans?

All 20 MCQs ▸

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BSF Proposes 90-km Fence in Sundarbans: Security vs Ecology Debate Intensifies

Exam Lens

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Security Proposal

Ecology at Risk

Social Impact

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints