Manipur Governor releases Rs 29.99 lakh for protection of Manipuri ponies

Imphal: Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on Thursday released incentives to pony owners through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for the conservation and preservation of the endangered ponies in the state.

A Raj Bhavan communiqué issued on Thursday stated that a total incentive amount of Rs. 29,99,200 was disbursed for 1,150 ponies above six months of age, belonging to 86 pony owners and clubs, under the State Plan fund.

The present incentive is being provided after a gap of three years. The incentive aims to support Manipuri pony owners in supplementing the feeding of their ponies during the lean period.

The Chief Secretary, along with the Secretary, Director, and officers of the Department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, attended the event.

The Governor has taken up these measures after the Government of Manipur declared the Manipuri Pony (also known as Meitei Sagol) an endangered breed in 2013.

This decision followed a significant decline in the pony population, with only 1,089 remaining in 2019, down from 1,898 in 2003.

Various factors, such as habitat loss and the cultural importance of ponies in the state, have hampered efforts to conserve the breed, including the conservation and development policy introduced in 2016.

People in Manipur play polo (known as Sagol Kangjei) on the backs of the Manipuri pony.

Experts consider the Manipuri pony the original polo pony, as British officers adapted the local game to create modern polo, which players now play globally.

Today, the Manipuri pony is an endangered species facing a rapid population decline due to habitat loss and other threats, while the traditional sport remains a vital part of local culture.

To protect the endangered Manipuri pony, the government has allocated 30 acres of grassy fields at Lamphelpat, Imphal West, providing the ponies with a new home where they can freely roam and graze.