Our Correspondent
Imphal, Aug. 24 (EMN): In an effort to protect Manipuri Pony which has been designated as a critically endangered species, the state government has announced to register all the indigenous ponies.
The ponies would be registered under the Manipuri Pony Conservation and Development Policy 2016, according to state Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Director Dr. H Chaoba.
Details of each and every pony along with particulars of the owners would be collected together with photographs for registration and a unique identification number would be issued for each pony, Dr. Chaoba said.
A separate counter would be opened at the office of the directorate for registration of ponies in Imphal apart from designating a nodal officer for the purpose.
The step has been taken as Manipur ponies are on the verge of extinction as their number has been dwindling day by day although they are central to the game of Polo and closely associated with the history of Manipur.
Meanwhile, the state government has completed acquisition of land for the Marjing Polo Complex, Heingang in Imphal East district for accommodating 200 ponies with an endeavour to protect the Manipur ponies and promote the associated cultural and historical value.
Though the 20th Livestock Census was held in 2017, the Central authority is yet to release the latest data even after all the state data were submitted to the Central government.
However, Manipur Pony and Polo Player’s Welfare Association (MPPPWA) said the total number of ponies in the state could be below 1000.
Speaking to reporters here, the functionaries of the association urged the authority to develop natural grazing grounds and polo grounds to conserve pony and game at its birth place.
“We want natural grazing ground such as Lamphelpat (in Imphal West district) and polo ground like Mapal Kangjeibung in most of the districts,” MPPPWA said.
He said according to reports, there are 44 polo grounds and 24 polo clubs in the state. The clubs play 11 tournaments and equestrian competition annually.
One of the key reasons of declining in the number of ponies is the cost factor in rearing the endangered animal and its limited commercial utility.
