Manipuri ponies

1. Manipur government allocates 30 acres at Lamphelpat, Imphal West, for preserving Manipuri ponies.
2. The initiative aims to safeguard the breed deeply rooted in Manipur and Assam’s history and mythology.
3. Conservation efforts are crucial as Manipuri ponies face a declining population, posing challenges for owners.

Imphal, May 15: The Manipur government has taken a significant step towards conserving the renowned Manipuri ponies, a breed of small horses deeply entrenched in the history and mythology of Manipur and Assam.

They have allocated 30 acres of land at Lamphelpat, Imphal West, for this purpose.

CM Biren Singh announced the move on his social media handle, stating that the allotted area would provide a new home for the endangered Manipuri Ponies to freely roam and graze.

He emphasized the state government’s commitment to protecting these ponies, considering their integral role in Manipur’s history and culture.

Singh also commended the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association for their efforts in saving the endangered breed.

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In 2016, the Manipur government passed the Manipur Pony Conservation and Development Policy, recognizing the decline in the species’ population.

According to census data, the population decreased from 1,898 in 2003 to 1,101 in 2012.

In January 2023, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a 122-foot-tall statue of a polo player mounted on a pony at the shrine of Ibudhou Marjing, revered as the God of Pony, Polo, and War in Manipur.

Shah expressed optimism that the statue would inspire more youngsters to engage in the sport of polo, which has its origins in Manipur.

Despite their significance in polo, the population of Manipuri ponies continues to decline, posing challenges for pony owners.

Census data indicates an annual decrease of at least eight ponies, putting this iconic breed at risk of extinction.