Context -

• To secure the India-Bangladesh border, the Border Security Force has started a unique initiative of beekeeping.
• In this pilot project started in Kadipur village of West Bengal, bees will work as 'bee warriors' to stop infiltrators and smugglers coming from Bangladesh.

 Key Points -

• This effort of 32nd battalion of BSF is a part of the joint scheme of beekeeping and medicinal plant cultivation in the border areas as a pilot project to provide new employment opportunities to the people of border villages.
• This scheme is in line with the “Vibrant Village Programme” of the Central Government.
• Under this scheme, along with security fencing, bee boxes will also be installed slightly above the ground.
• A natural habitat for bees will be created by planting flowering plants around the boxes.
• In the 4,096.7 km long India-Bangladesh border area, the dense availability of various trees and plants in the forests on both sides of the border and the farming done by farmers on both sides will provide adequate food to the bees throughout the year.

 Benefits of this initiative -

• Bees can prove helpful in food security.
• Bees are responsible for pollinating almost all crops around the world, including fruits, vegetables and nuts.
• According to an estimate, in the absence of bees, global crop yields could be reduced by up to 35 percent.
• Bees hover over flowers to gather food, so as pollinators, they play a vital role in the production of many crops that ensure food security for the world's population.
• In a recent program organized at Kadipur village, some medicinal plants were also distributed to the villagers and four bee boxes were presented to the battalion commander, which have been installed with proper arrangement on a part of the smart fence.
• Apart from this, illegal infiltration can be controlled with this initiative.
• Human trafficking and smuggling of contraband goods is one of the major issues along the India-Bangladesh border.
• Smugglers cut the border fence to infiltrate into Indian territory to carry on their illegal activities.
• This initiative is likely to solve this problem to some extent.
• Apart from this, it will help in ensuring overall development of the people living in the villages near the border.

 IMPORATANT FACTS -

• The BSF was raised in 1965 after the India-Pakistan war.
• It is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces of Union of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Other Central Armed Police Forces are:
• Assam Rifles (AR),
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP),
• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF),
• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),
•  National Security Guards (NSG)
• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Bangladesh

• Capital: Dhaka
• President: Mohammad Shahabuddin
• Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
• Currency: Taka
• Independence Day: March 26