Manipur Takes Steps To Save Endangered Meitei Ponies

May 20, 2024

In an important joint effort, the Government of Manipur, along with several equestrian groups and state offices, has taken steps to keep the Manipuri Pony, also called the Meitei Sagol, from going extinct. At a meeting on May 16 in Imphal, these steps were made official.

Decisive Steps for Conservation

Several decisions were passed at the meeting to protect the breed. These included quickly gathering the ponies, naming temporary housing areas, and creating a task force. It was also planned for always-on consultation, a study of the grazing grounds, and registration through stud books. One important part was making a detailed budget for pony management, which emphasized that everyone needed to work together.

Background of the Manipuri Pony

The Manipuri Pony is one of India’s seven official horse breeds. It is special because of its historical and cultural value in Manipur. These ponies are an important part of Manipur’s history and were once used by the local military. They were first bred for the traditional game of Sagol Kangjei, which later became polo.

Decline in Population

Even though they are very important, the number of Manipuri Ponies has dropped dramatically over the years, from 1,898 in 2003 to only 1,089 in 2019. Land loss from urbanization, a lack of polo fields, disease, and cross-border migration are all things that are causing this decline.

Government Initiatives and Policy Framework

In 2016, the Manipuri Pony Conservation and Development Policy (MPCDP) was made in answer to the crisis. By 2013, the breed had been officially listed as endangered. As Chief Minister N Biren Singh pointed out, recent steps include giving these ponies 30 acres to make a permanent home in Lamphelpat, Imphal West. He also talked about how important the species is to Manipur’s culture and how many people need to help protect it.

More About Manipuri Pony Conservation and Development Policy

The Manipuri Pony Conservation and Development Policy was made in India to protect the Manipuri pony breed, which is in danger of going extinct.
The state of Manipur is home to the Manipuri pony.
People know these ponies for their part in the game of polo, which comes from Manipur.
The breed is in decline because of more people living in cities and less land for grazing.
The policy’s main goal is to create shelters where the ponies can live safely.
It supports programs that raise Manipuri ponies to increase the number of them in the world.
The policy’s goal is to include ponies in sports and tourists to bring more attention to the issue and help with conservation efforts.
It encourages study into the Manipuri pony’s unique genetic traits and health problems in order to help the population recover.

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