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Pauri Garhwal: A bizarre incident in Uttarakhand’s Mala village left residents, officials, and social media buzzing. A video showing a lion near Patanjali’s Shri Dhanvantari Dham went viral, sparking panic and confusion. Later, it was revealed that the lion was never real—it was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The drama began when workers engaged in the construction of Dhanvantari Dham asked their contractor for leave. When their request was denied, one worker decided to use AI to generate a photo and video of a lion. The video was uploaded on social media, quickly spreading across the village and beyond.
The lion has come
The video looked so realistic that even the contractor was convinced a lion had entered the area. Villagers locked themselves indoors, mobile cameras were switched on, and discussions spread rapidly: “The lion has come… the lion has come!” Work at the site came to a halt as fear gripped the community.
Forest Department shocked at this news
The viral video disturbed the sleep of the Forest Department. Officials were puzzled, wondering how a lion—an animal not found in this region—could have reached Dhanvantari Dham. Teams from the Laldhang Range and Rajaji Tiger Reserve rushed to the site to investigate.
After questioning the workers, the truth emerged. The lion was nothing more than an AI creation, made viral by frustrated workers who wanted a break. Sudhir Kumar, SDO of Lansdowne Forest Division, confirmed that the video was fake and said the incident highlighted how technology can be misused.
Acharya Balkrishna’s claim
The story took another twist when Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali Yogpeeth shared photographs of the lion on his social media account. He claimed that an Asiatic lion from Gir jungle had been spotted at Shri Dhanvantari Dham, calling it a “divine miracle beyond imagination.”
In his now‑deleted post, Balkrishna expressed joy, saying that protecting nature brings divine wonders. He noted that leopards, bears, and pythons had been seen earlier, and now even a lion had appeared. His claim fueled curiosity and amazement online, but soon after, the post was removed.
Incident was both frightening and amusing
For villagers, the incident was both frightening and amusing. Initially, the fear of a lion kept people indoors, but once the truth was revealed, relief spread across Mala. The forest remained calm, and the “Babbar Sher” vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Officials, however, were left embarrassed, realizing how easily AI content can mislead communities. The case has become a talking point about the misuse of technology and the need for awareness in rural areas.
Incident highlights both the power and risks of AI in today’s world
The AI‑made lion video in Mala village shows how digital tools can create chaos when misused. From workers seeking leave to Acharya Balkrishna’s deleted claim, the incident highlights both the power and risks of AI in today’s world. For now, Uttarakhand’s forests remain lion‑free, and the Forest Department breathes a sigh of relief.
