Myanmar exodus linked to ponies' decline
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22: Even though it is an undeniable fact that Manipur had gifted game of polo to the world the indigenous ponies to whom polo owes its origin since time immemorial is facing rapid extinction on its very home surface.

The alarming decline in number of Manipuri ponies among other reason is due exodus to the neighboring Myanmar especially in Tamu town where it is extensively used to draw carts for transportation of goods and passengers, according to some members of polo clubs who are themselves fighting with their backs to the wall in preserving the traditional game of Manipur.

As per calculation of these clubs only around 500 ponies could be traced in the valley districts with the hill areas presenting an even more alarming picture of about 200/300.

If emergency pony protection/preservation programme is not initiated the whole pony population is in stark danger of being entirely wiped out within the next two/three years, they speculated.

Informing of the 1992 pony head count standing at 811 males and 681 of the female variety compared to the current figure of less than one thousand, the polo enthusiasts also attributed the decline to ever decreasing number of polo clubs in Manipur.

While cost factor in rearing and breeding of indigenous ponies have dissuaded many to pursue in activities connected with pony preservation trading of the animal breed in exchange of beef producing cattle has impeded growth of pony population, they explained while adding ponies being sold off to Myanmar has become common feature.

While Myanmar people especially those bordering trade town of Moreh had benefited with the Manipuri ponies, in Manipur pony owners/breeders are facing problems due to depletion of grazing areas as well as authorities of Imphal Municipal Council who levy high penalty whenever the animal stray beyond grazing grounds.

Pollution, particularly caused by plastic also creates health havoc to the ponies as consuming polythenes proves fatal, said the polo club members who also explained other reasons to decline in pony population like peasants causing sharp weapon injuries to ponies that strays into paddy fields.

To save extinction of the indigenous Manipuri ponies the polo enthusiasts desired Government patronage in the form of financial assistance to polo clubs to breed the rare variety and conduct of training programmes on economic viability of ponies.

On the urban-rural scenario, they conveyed of many more polo enthusiasts and sympathiser that had encouraged flourish of polo clubs in the capital areas while economically drained rural people are faced with a helpless situation leading to preferences for more productive agricultural activities.

In contrast to 26 polo clubs that adorned the State currently only about 16 are fighting for survival, they said while adding only in selected areas like Lamphel, Khonghampat, Porompat, Tentha and Tekcham some interest of horse rearing prevails.

On the other hand, pony population in Mayang Imphal, Thoubal and Bishnupur areas are on the verge of extinction, said the polo club members who asserted that Manipuri ponies considered highly intelligent in playing polo are also likely to suitably adapt to the rigours of equestrian sports if proper training is imparted.