Manipur government initiatives safeguard endangered polo ponies through grassland allotment

GUWAHATI: The Manipur government has taken measures, including the allotment of grassland, to protect the state’s endangered 'polo ponies'. The Manipur government has now allotted 30 acres of grassland to conserve the endangered species at Lamphelpat in Imphal West district.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said in a post on X: “To protect the endangered Manipuri Pony, they are now being given a new home at the government allotted 30 acres of grassy fields at Lamphelpat, Imphal West, where they can freely roam and graze.

“The state government has been taking various measures to protect the Manipuri Pony, which is closely tied to the state’s history and culture. We gave the game of modern polo to the world, and considering the importance of this animal, their preservation requires support from the masses.


"I also appreciate the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association for its initiative to save the precious yet endangered Manipuri Pony."

Officials said as per the 20th Livestock Census conducted by the Manipur government, only 1,089 ponies remained in the state after the death of many horses in the last 16 years.

The Manipur government declared ponies as an endangered species in 2013 and since then, the numbers have plummeted from around 1,218 in 2007 to the current 1089, as per the Livestock Census conducted last year.

Despite concerted efforts by the state government to conserve these iconic animals, their population continues to dwindle due to various reasons, posing a grave challenge for the struggling pony owners.