The department warned that using technology to spread false information about wildlife could invite legal action
Kolhapur : The forest department has fined the parent of a minor Rs 15,000 for circulating an AI-generated fake image of a leopard sighting in the Kalamba-Pachgaon area adjoining Kolhapur city, triggering panic among residents. On Friday, Oct 16, Sagar Dalvi, a Pachgaon gram panchayat member, alerted the forest department about a leopard allegedly spotted at Aptemala in Pachgaon. A nuisance fine of Rs 15,000 was collected from the parent so that such thing won’t be repeated in future,” Nalawade said.
Range Forest Officer Nandkumar Nalawade said an investigation revealed that a minor boy from Pachgaon had created the image using an AI app as a prank on his friends and circulated it on social media. “During investigation, it was revealed that a minor boy from the Pachgaon village had circulated the photo on social media. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news.
He also forwarded a photo he had received on his mobile phone. Forest officials and the wildlife rapid rescue team rushed to the spot but found no evidence of a leopard. When our team questioned the boy, he lied about seeing a leopard out of fear. However, upon further questioning, he confessed that he had created a fake photo of the leopard with the help of an AI app to prank his friends and had made it viral. Later, the boy’s parents also admitted that this incident had happened unknowingly. The department warned that using technology to spread false information about wildlife could invite legal action. “Misusing technology to spread false news about wildlife behaviour in this way can lead to legal action. Citizens are appealed not to believe such rumours and not to forward any photos or messages without verifying them,” Nalawade added. The action was taken under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests Dhairyasheel Patil and Assistant Conservator of Forests Priyanka Dalvi. Download the TOI App.