Biren inspects pony breeding grounds, says to develop Polo ground in 5 districts

Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday inspected the 30 acre Pony Breeding Ground at Lamphelpat in Imphal West which was allocated to Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA) and breeding site at Pangei, Imphal East.

Pony has been associated with Manipur since time immemorial and had taken an important role in driving out the Awa (Myanmar native) from the state during the Seven Years Devastation. However, due to lack of breeding ground, lots of pony are seen gathered on roads leading to certain accidents and endangering the survival of the species, Biren said.

As such, the state government along with MHRPA had started bringing the ponies to breeding ground, he added.

The chief minister was surprised to learn from experts that Manipur Pony is the only horse breed which has adaptability for feeding at swampy land and expressed his proud feeling for the uniqueness of the pony.

The state government had made a plan to conserve water bodies for which 427 acres of land would be dug. The dug out mud would be used to level up the breeding ground at Lamphelpat. The breeding ground would be upgraded to make it a permanent breeding ground for ponies, Biren said.

A Polo ground each would be developed at five valley districts adding that Sagol Kangjei ground at Wangjing Tentha Awang Leikai, Thoubal district would be developed first, he added.

Maintaining that the state government had been taking up all possible measures to safeguard the Manipur Pony, he urged the pony breeders not to let their ponies gather at roadside and to bring them to the breeding ground at Lamphelpat if the breeders don’t have such facility at their places.

The chief minister also took stock of the progress of construction of Polo Ground at Ebudhou Marjing Eco-Tourism Park.

Biren Singh was accompanied by TA and Hills minister Letpao Haokip, social welfare minister Heikham Dingo and MLA Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei among others.