Guwahati: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Thursday released a total incentive amount of Rs. 29,99,200 to Pony owners through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The incentive 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 is provided to support Manipuri Pony owners in supplementing the feeding of their ponies during the lean period.
Reports from the Livestock Census conducted by the Government of Manipur last year disclose a disheartening statistic – 129 polo ponies have succumbed in the past 16 years, leaving only 1089 of the original breeds in the state.
Despite concerted efforts by the state government to conserve these iconic animals, the population continues to dwindle, posing grave challenges for the struggling pony owners.
The Polo Pony, a diminutive yet robust breed, holds special significance as the backbone of the modern sport of Polo, originating right here in Manipur.
Ironically, the very ponies that are a source of pride for the locals are inching towards extinction, with an annual decline of at least 8 ponies according to livestock census data.
Thangjam Basanta, a proud owner of 15 Polo Ponies, laments the rapid decline, attributing it to a multitude of factors, with the diminishing grazing grounds being the most critical.
"Where should one feed the ponies? There are no grazing grounds left as they are encroached upon by humans for so-called developmental projects," says Basanta, an avid polo player himself.
Contrary to the perception of Polo being a rich man's sport elsewhere, in Manipur, it is predominantly played by commoners, often from economically challenged backgrounds. Most pony owners face substantial financial burdens, exacerbated by the absence of government schemes to aid in their upkeep.
"Revival of grazing and polo grounds is urgently needed to save the Polo and the Pony culture," emphasizes Sarangthem Abung, a pony owner from Imphal West District, stressing the importance of government incentives for pony owners.
The iconic Hapta Kangjeibung, once a polo racecourse and practice ground, has been inaccessible to polo players since 2011, converted into a mela ground and used for political meetings.
There are around 26 Polo Clubs in the state. To uplift the status of polo ponies, the Manipur government introduced the "Manipur Pony Conservation and Development Policy" in 2016, offering incentives to polo clubs.
The total population of ponies in the state is reported to be 1089. As per an informed source, the livestock census in 2007 disclosed district-wise pony numbers: Bishnupur 115, Chandel 64, Churachandpur 85, Imphal East 35, Imphal West 302, Senapati 229, Tamenglong 54, Thoubal 280, and Ukhrul 54. At that time, the overall count of ponies in the state amounted to 1218.
The present incentive is being provided after a gap of three years. The incentive is provided to support Manipuri Pony owners in supplementing the feeding of their ponies during the lean period.
Reports from the Livestock Census conducted by the Government of Manipur last year disclose a disheartening statistic – 129 polo ponies have succumbed in the past 16 years, leaving only 1089 of the original breeds in the state.
Despite concerted efforts by the state government to conserve these iconic animals, the population continues to dwindle, posing grave challenges for the struggling pony owners.
The Polo Pony, a diminutive yet robust breed, holds special significance as the backbone of the modern sport of Polo, originating right here in Manipur.
Ironically, the very ponies that are a source of pride for the locals are inching towards extinction, with an annual decline of at least 8 ponies according to livestock census data.
Thangjam Basanta, a proud owner of 15 Polo Ponies, laments the rapid decline, attributing it to a multitude of factors, with the diminishing grazing grounds being the most critical.
"Where should one feed the ponies? There are no grazing grounds left as they are encroached upon by humans for so-called developmental projects," says Basanta, an avid polo player himself.
Contrary to the perception of Polo being a rich man's sport elsewhere, in Manipur, it is predominantly played by commoners, often from economically challenged backgrounds. Most pony owners face substantial financial burdens, exacerbated by the absence of government schemes to aid in their upkeep.
"Revival of grazing and polo grounds is urgently needed to save the Polo and the Pony culture," emphasizes Sarangthem Abung, a pony owner from Imphal West District, stressing the importance of government incentives for pony owners.
The iconic Hapta Kangjeibung, once a polo racecourse and practice ground, has been inaccessible to polo players since 2011, converted into a mela ground and used for political meetings.
There are around 26 Polo Clubs in the state. To uplift the status of polo ponies, the Manipur government introduced the "Manipur Pony Conservation and Development Policy" in 2016, offering incentives to polo clubs.
The total population of ponies in the state is reported to be 1089. As per an informed source, the livestock census in 2007 disclosed district-wise pony numbers: Bishnupur 115, Chandel 64, Churachandpur 85, Imphal East 35, Imphal West 302, Senapati 229, Tamenglong 54, Thoubal 280, and Ukhrul 54. At that time, the overall count of ponies in the state amounted to 1218.
