Financial aid to promote Manipuri Pony
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 21 2011:
Encouraging breeding of Pony, Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services, Government of Manipur has extended financial assistance of Rs 7 lakhs to the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association.
Principal Secretary of the Directorate IS Laishram handed over the amount to the Association representatives during a simple function held at the office chamber of the Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services located at Sanjenthong today.
Speaking at the occasion, IS Laishram said that the financial assistance is being extended from the side of the Department considering the importance of this magnificent animal.
The assistance is meant for maintenance of Ponies as well as organising of awareness programmes and seminars on the importance of conserving Manipuri Ponies.
It is said that the present population of Manipuri Ponies in the State is 1218 .
Appreciating the efforts being made by the Association, IS Laishram noted that through the implementation of One Pony Project, the Association has been able to breed over 100 Ponies.
It has also done tremendous works in popularising Polo, a heritage game of the State.
Manipuri Pony is becoming an endangered species today and unless sufficient conservation works are not taken up from now onwards, this magnificent animal may extinct, IS Laishram expressed apprehension, while announcing that the Department would be providing Rs 300 as assistance to individual Pony rearer through local Pony clubs.
The Principal Secretary disclosed that in 2005, the Govt of India sanctioned Rs 77 lakhs to the State Govt through the Directorate for the promotion of Manipuri Ponies.
Out of that Rs 77 lakhs, so far Rs 45 lakhs have already been given to the Association and the remaining Rs 32 lakhs would also be provided within May this year, the officer assured.