Govt approves draft Pony policy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 11 2016: Finally, the State Veterinary Department and the State Government have come up with a policy to save the rare, indigenous Manipur horse breed Pony which is famous for the game of Polo.

Speaking to the media persons in his office chamber this afternoon, Veterinary Director N Rajendro said that the initiative has been taken up by the department after taking serious note of the fast dwindling number of Manipur Ponies.

The policy to save Manipur Pony was formulated in consultation with all stake holders and horse lovers.

As per the 19th quinquennial livestock census report of 2012, there were only 1,100 Ponies in the State.

The department has drafted a policy for conservation and development of Manipur Pony and the draft policy was submitted to the State Government on October 17 .

The Director informed that the State Government has approved the draft policy in principle.

He also said that the draft policy has been already uploaded in the website www.vetymanipurnic.in for inviting comments/suggestions from all stake holders, horse lovers and the general public.

Comments/suggestions can also be given in the form of letters addressed to the Under Secretary, Veterinary Department by 4.30 pm of November 22 .

The department has named the policy "Policy on conservation of Manipuri Pony'.

The Veterinary and Animal Husbandry department will be the nodal department for implementing the policy.

The State Government should provide sufficient fund regularly for implementing the policy, preferably by opening a separate head of account for the purpose, Rajendro said.

For implementing the policy, a Manipuri Pony Development Board would be constituted with the Chief Minister and Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister as Chairperson and Vice-chairperson respectively.

Breeding strategies, feeding plan for Manipur Pony, prevention and control of diseases, development of permanent Polo grounds and race courses, incentive programmes for pony keepers, organization of eco-tourism activities, pony based employment opportunities and inclusion of Pony related literature in text books are some of the fundamental points underscored by the draft policy.

On being enquired as to why the department/Government took so long to formulate such a policy, the Director replied that it was due to financial constraints on the part of the State Government.

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