IMPHAL, May 3: The indigenous Manipuri pony, though small in size, is known for its swiftness, sturdiness and tolerance in the game of polo. But it is on the verge of extinction in Manipur – the birth place of this game (polo). Efforts to develop and preserve the local breed of ponies at the Regional Pony Development Farm at Tingkai Khunou in Manipur’s Bishnupur district suffered a fatal fate, Manipur Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister told the Assembly recently. Of the 70 pony breed species introduced initially at the farm under an ambitious project in 1988, a staggering 54 ponies have died over the years because of various reasons, including lack of fodder and treatment facilities at the farm.
The farm, which has accommodation capacity of 100 ponies, has a male pony, 13 mares and 22 colts at present. Three ponies are also suffering from different diseases while the others have developed wobbly feet though curative medicine Phenyl is being sprayed. The farm, set up by the North Eastern Council in 1988, was taken over by the State Government in 1992 with the aim of breeding the original local pony breed and developing them. The NEC had sanctioned Rs 1.2 crore for the farm.
A committee probed the death of the ponies but the report was never submitted. The government has been giving Rs 2 lakh every year for fodder but the same has been stopped in the last three years because of financial constraints. However, the government is considering giving a one time grant to a breeder association for revival of the pony project, official sources said.
Regarding the neglect and treatment of this rare species, the farm caretaker told visiting newsmen that the ponies were earlier provided with abundant fodder including gram and husk when the farm was run by NEC. After the state government took over, the ponies were provided with hay and they died due to lack of nutritious food, he said. The situation is worse now as the supply has been completely stopped. As the farm is located in the hills, grazing fields are limited.
According to Kangjeirol, an ancient treaty on polo (locally called Sagol Kangjei), during the reign of King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba – 33 AD – polo was played with players riding the Manipuri ponies and with seven players a side to mark a special occasion when the king introduced his consort “Laisna” to his royal friends. The game became more refined and more popular with improved rules at present. In fact the ponies are on the verge of extinction at the birthplace of polo.