Pony registration & conservation

Though late, the state government’s decision to allow registration of ponies is indeed a positive step. It provides a glimmer of hope for the world famous but fast disappearing Manipuri pony. Manipuri pony now languishing in a pathetic state will definitely get a new lease of life if registration is followed by or goes hand in hand with effective conservation measures. Conservation of ponies is not only about protection of the unique horse breed, native to Manipur. Conservation of ponies is also about preservation of the State’s proud history, rich culture and centuries old traditions. The game of polo is simply unimaginable without ponies. But the game of polo has not yet done enough to sustain Manipuri ponies. In fact, polo is the only hope for survival of Manipuri ponies because this particular horse is no longer used for any other purpose except for playing polo. Ponies always occupied a prominent and respectable position in the history and culture of Manipur since mythological period. Manipuri ponies were seldom used as beast of burden nor were they used for ploughing fields. They were animals of war, a prized asset of each and every Manipuri family in the bygone days. The predicament of Manipuri ponies has its roots in the fast disappearance of wetlands and ever shrinking grazing fields. The total number of Manipuri ponies is dwindling fast, at an alarming rate. If some concrete and effective measures are not put in place urgently for their protection and preservation, there is a strong likelihood of the particular species disappearing completely from the surface of Earth sooner rather than later. Though Manipuri ponies are indispensable to the game of polo, they have very little commercial value.  It is a common knowledge that an entity or an animal which has no commercial value is doomed in this highly commercialised age. 
Who would rear and take care of ponies when they have very little utility or commercial value? With the exception of a few, no common people would like to invest time, energy and money in rearing ponies. It is for this very reason that horses/ponies are left to feed on streets without any protection from scorching heat, torrential rain and chilling cold. No doubt, polo players love and value ponies.  But their number is too few to shoulder the task of conserving ponies, and in addition, they don’t have the resources to accomplish such a crucial mission.  This is where the need for state intervention is felt acutely. The state can also rope in interested NGOs and polo clubs for protection and preservation of ponies but it must take the initiative. At the same time, the state government needs to implement the Manipuri Pony Conservation and Development Policy 2016 in letter and spirit with the right dose of political will. All the citizens in general and animal rights activists in particular too need to take up the cause of ponies concurrently just as they are doing for other animals like Sangai.  If we are celebrating the birth of Polo on the soil of Manipur, if we are proud about the famous Manipuri cavalry of bygone days and if we are glorifying the deadly Arambai (darts thrown from speeding horses against fleeing or pursuing enemies), we must show respect and gratitude to ponies by promoting them and giving them the much needed space. One major issue as far as pony conservation is concerned is the disappearance of grazing fields, and it is directly responsible for the ever dwindling pony population. Apart from registration of ponies, the state must take the responsibility of preserving grazing fields. In another word, all pony conservation efforts must start with preservation of grazing fields. No doubt, the government’s initiative to give incentives to pony owners for buying fodders deserves appreciation but ponies cannot be kept in captivity throughout the year. For ponies to thrive and the game of polo to flourish in the land of its birth, grazing fields are indispensable.