Health camp for horses, ponies held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 17 2016:
In a bid to save the indigenous Manipuri ponies the Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Directorate of Research, Central Agricultural University, Imphal under the aegis of ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) Hisar in association with All Manipur Polo Association (AMPA) and Chingkheihunba Polo Club conducted a health camp for horses and ponies at Kongpal Students's club ground, Kongpal, Imphal East, today.
Advisor of AMUCO KT Rahaman, Prof UC Singh Department of Horticulture CAU, and chief editor of ISTV news Brojendro Ningomba graced as dignitaries of the inaugural function.
KT Rahman questioned the Department concerned over their failures to take steps to save and preserve the ponies which have a historic significance.
Various plans and scheme to save ponies have failed to bring any positive results.
Moreover the pony farm instituted by the State Government at Heingang area is in a state of failure, he lamented.
Dr Th Ranadhir who gave the opening remark, stated that Manipuri ponies have historic significance and is part of the State's rich history.
In the last census conducted for ponies there was sharp decline in its number (upto 1218).In such conditions the ponies are categorized as endangered under the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations.
To save the ponies, scientific management is needed, Ranadhir opined.
Ponies are mostly concentrated in the Imphal East and Imphal West district of Manipur.
With decreasing grazing ground, the ponies are facing grave danger of extinction, he said.
Brojendra Ningomba suggested that organizations who are working to save the ponies and the State Government should stop politicizing and work sincerely to save the animal.
A concrete step to save the ponies is the need of the hour with sharp decline in number of ponies, he stated.