An image of Central Asian Cobra look-alike from Hayathnagar | Pranksters or people who wanted to take a leave or break at workplaces if otherwise not permitted made hoax calls and sent such photos. There is also another category of people, which is an exception: those who spotted a snake but sent AI-generated image after the reptile slithered under furniture at their home or inaccessible corner.Besides diverting time, human resources, effort, fuel and other valuable resources from legitimate emergency situations, hoax calls accompanied with such images erode the trust between such organisations and people. It also creates panic in society, said Friends of Snakes Society.Increase in AI-generated imagesMembers of the society started receiving requests on their 24/7 helpline (+918374233366) from the beginning of the year, supported by images generated using AI tools. From around 5-10 such images a month till June-end, the numbers shot up. Now, the rescue teams are receiving multiple AI-generated images a day.Why are photos asked for?Avinash Viswanathan, general secretary of the society, said that they ask for photos to understand the situation and bring necessary tools for the rescue. “We understand snakes are not always found in easily accessible areas where a photo can be clicked,” he said.Though images are screened, they do not dismiss callers. The common cause found for use of AI tools to generate images was when people saw a snake but the reptiles slipped under furniture or stones or bricks. As the rescue teams ask for photographs, the callers generated AI images that resemble the snake they saw.Mr. Avinash said that those who want to pull a prank do so without thorough understanding of the reptiles. “The snakes in such images are often exotic. The experience in rescuing the snakes, knowledge of existing fauna and its distribution help us in spotting AI-generated images,” he said.One of the volunteers with FoSS, Nikhil Gourishetty, said that responding to a call a few days ago about an Andaman Bronzeback by the side of a motorbike, he traveled over 20 kilometres to Bandlaguda. They could not spot the reptile after searching for over 10 minutes. When people asked the caller, he confided to have generated the image for fun. During this time, another person who requested to rescue a snake was waiting in another locality. However, exotic species are not the sole factor to dismiss a call as there have been stray incidents of exotic reptiles found outside. In March 2024, they rescued a green iguana which was perched on a mango tree at Dilsukhnagar.They check the images for biological aspects. Abnormal length, girth, or other aspects alert them. AI-assisted image analysis tools are used when they are undecided after visual inspection. They ask for more images from other angles to.Mr. Avinash said that fake wildlife emergencies had real-world consequences, and rescuing snakes is an emergency service that protects both people and animals. Published - July 31, 2026 08:28 pm IST
The Standing Committee of the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) on July 24, 2026, approved a series of proposals aimed at improving civic infrastructure, sanitation, public services and urban biodiversity across the Corporation limits | The proposal to establish the Cyberabad Urban Biodiversity Centre for Awareness, Rescue and Rehabilitation (CUB-CARE) was approved during the sixth ordinary meeting of the Standing Committee, chaired by Special Chief Secretary to the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department Jayesh Ranjan. The meeting was attended by CMC Commissioner G. Srijana, Zonal Commissioners and heads of various departments.The biodiversity centre will be established in collaboration with the Animal Warriors Conservation Society (AWCS) and is aimed at creating a facility for wildlife awareness, rescue and rehabilitation within the Corporation limits.Box drains approvedBesides the biodiversity centre, the Standing Committee approved several infrastructure projects under the Road Development Plan (RDP). These include shifting electrical utilities obstructing the proposed Model Road from NH-65 (Old Bombay Road) to Ameenpur ward, construction of a twin box barrel and cement concrete road from the Khaithalapur Flyover to the transfer station at 15th Phase in Khaithalapur ward, construction of a box drain from Ambeer Cheruvu to Srinivasa Colony in Bhagyanagar Allwyn Colony ward, and administrative sanction for construction of the balance box drain from New Colony Road No. 6 to Raj Darbar Restaurant in Mayuri Nagar, Madhapur Circle.Development of PJR StadiumThe committee also approved the development of PJR Stadium at Chandanagar along with the construction of an athletic track at the stadium.A major portion of the meeting focused on projects under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0. The Standing Committee approved engaging the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) to provide technical support for implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, preparations for Swachh Survekshan 2027.Human resourcesTo strengthen public health and civic services, the Standing Committee approved engaging replacement personnel in the sanitation, entomology and veterinary wings against vacancies arising due to retirement, death, medical invalidation and prolonged unauthorised absence. It also approved procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) for sanitation, entomology and veterinary personnel.The committee cleared the implementation of the Telangana government’s Indiramma Canteens at 32 locations across the CMC limits.Road projects approvedAs part of the additional agenda, the committee approved two more Road Development Plan proposals. These include a road from the NH-65 Foot Over Bridge to PNR Hill View via PJR Enclave and another connecting Miyapur Lotus Hospitals to the Ameenpur village M.G. Statue through Janapriya West City Road and HMT Swarnapuri Colony Main Road. Published - July 24, 2026 04:25 pm IST
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