Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 18 August 2026

1. Introduction

Odisha Snake Helpline ("we", "us", "our" or "Odisha Snake Helpline") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect and disclose information when you visit or use our website, services, forms and related features.

By accessing or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

Depending on how you use our website, we may collect different types of information.

2.1 Personal Information

When you voluntarily submit information through our website, we may collect information such as:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Father's or guardian's name
• Blood group
• Mobile number
• WhatsApp number
• Email address
• Postal address
• District and block
• PIN code
• Aadhaar number or other information submitted for verification

2.2 Rescuer Information

Individuals applying to become or be listed as rescuers may voluntarily provide additional information, including:

• Rescue area
• Rescue status
• Training information
• Equipment information
• Species knowledge
• Wildlife awareness
• Forest Department coordination information
• Emergency availability
• Nearest Forest Division
• Additional remarks
• Passport photograph
• Rescue-related photographs

2.3 Contact and Inquiry Information

If you contact us through a contact form, email, phone, WhatsApp or another communication method, we may collect the information you provide, including your name, contact details and the content of your inquiry.

2.4 Website Usage Information

We may automatically receive certain technical information when you access our website, such as:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Operating system
• Pages visited
• Date and time of access
• Referring pages

3. How We Use Your Information

We may use the information collected for legitimate organizational and website-related purposes, including:

• Processing rescuer applications
• Maintaining rescuer records
• Displaying approved public rescuer information
• Responding to inquiries and requests
• Providing snake rescue and awareness support
• Managing memberships or community participation
• Managing product inquiries or requests
• Processing donations where applicable
• Improving website functionality and services
• Preventing fraud, misuse and unauthorized activity
• Maintaining website security
• Complying with applicable legal requirements

4. Rescuer Information and Public Display

If you register as a rescuer, some information may be displayed publicly on our website after review or approval.

Publicly displayed information may include information such as your name, district, rescue area, photograph and other information considered appropriate for identifying an approved rescuer.

We recommend that you do not submit information that you do not want to be considered for public display.

5. Photographs and Uploaded Files

Users may be permitted to upload photographs or other files through certain website forms.

Uploaded files may be stored on our servers and used for the purposes for which they were submitted, including verification, administration, awareness activities or displaying approved information on the website.

You should only upload photographs and documents that you are authorized to provide.

6. Aadhaar and Sensitive Information

If the website requests Aadhaar information or other identification information, such information should be submitted only where necessary and through the designated form.

We will take reasonable measures to protect such information from unauthorized access, misuse, alteration or disclosure.

We do not recommend sharing Aadhaar numbers or other sensitive identification information through public comments, reviews or social media.

7. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to maintain sessions, remember preferences, improve functionality and understand website usage.

Cookies may also be used by certain third-party services integrated into the website.

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect some website functionality.

8. Third-Party Services

Our website may use third-party services for purposes such as hosting, analytics, maps, payment processing, communication, social media integration or other functionality.

These third parties may process information according to their own privacy policies and terms. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of third-party services before using them.

9. Donations and Payments

Where online donations, payments or other financial transactions are supported, payment information may be processed by the relevant payment service provider.

We do not intend to store complete payment card credentials such as full card numbers, CVV numbers or banking passwords on our website unless explicitly required by a secure payment service and permitted by applicable law.

10. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell or rent your personal information for advertising purposes.

Information may be disclosed when reasonably necessary:

• To provide requested services
• To operate and maintain our website
• To trusted service providers working on our behalf
• To comply with applicable laws or legal processes
• To protect the rights, safety or security of users or the organization
• To investigate fraud, abuse or unauthorized activity

11. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical and organizational measures to protect information under our control.

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee absolute security of information.

12. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including maintaining records, providing services, resolving disputes, enforcing agreements and complying with legal obligations.

Information that is no longer required may be deleted, anonymized or securely disposed of, subject to applicable legal and operational requirements.

13. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on applicable law, you may have rights relating to your personal information, including the ability to request:

• Access to personal information we hold about you
• Correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion of information where legally permissible
• Withdrawal of certain permissions or consent
• Information about how your data is being used

Requests may be subject to verification and applicable legal requirements.

14. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent or authorization.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us without appropriate authorization, please contact us so that we can review and take appropriate action.

15. Wildlife and Snake Rescue Information

Information submitted in connection with snake rescue, wildlife awareness or conservation activities may be used to coordinate legitimate rescue, awareness and conservation-related activities.

Users should avoid submitting unnecessary sensitive information about themselves or other individuals in public-facing forms.

16. External Links

Our website may contain links to external websites, social media platforms or third-party services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of external websites. Users should review the privacy policies of those websites before providing personal information.

17. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, legal requirements or operational practices.

Any updated version will be published on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.

18. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us.