Artificial Intelligence (AI) is posing an unlikely challenge for the forest department and wildlife conservationists. Since the past week, an AI-generated image of a Royal Bengal tiger in Mulund, near Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), has been going viral on social media, sparking unnecessary panic among locals. After the image was forwarded to groups and NGOs working for wildlife conservation, they made it clear to residents that the picture is fake, as there are no Royal Bengal tigers in SGNP.

Forest department officials are working to raise awareness among locals, urging them not to fall for AI-generated images. They advise the public to report any attempts to spread misinformation directly to the department. Advocate Pawan Sharma, founder and president, Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), said that AI is a powerful man-made invention and tool, but it should not be misused to create content that spreads panic and distress.