Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday inspected the 30-acre Pony Breeding Ground at Lamphelpat which was allocated to Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA). He also inspected the pony breeding site at Pangei, Imphal East.
N Biren, speaking to media at Lamphelpat, stated that ponies have been associated with Manipur since time immemorial and have taken an important role in driving out the Burmese invaders from the state during the period of the Seven Years Devastation.
However, due to lack of breeding grounds, lots of ponies could be seen gathered at many roads leading to certain accidents and endangering the survival of the species, he said. Therefore, the state government along with MHRPA had started bringing the ponies to the breeding grounds, he added.
The chief minister expressed his surprise to learn from experts that Manipur Pony is the only horse breed which has adaptability for feeding at swampy land and expressed his proud feeling for the uniqueness of the pony.
The Manipur government had made a plan to conserve water bodies for which 427 acre of land would be dug, he said. He further stated that the earth coming out from digging would be used to level up the breeding ground at Lamphelpat. The breeding ground would be upgraded to make it a permanent breeding ground for ponies, he added.
Biren also said a Polo Ground each would be developed at five valley districts. Sagol Kangjei Ground at Wangjing Tentha Awang Leikai, Thoubal district would be developed first, he said.
The chief minister maintained that the state government had been taking up all possible measures to safeguard the Manipur Pony. He further urged the pony breeders not to let their ponies gather at roadside and to bring them to the breeding ground at Lamphelpat, if the breeders do not have such facilities at their places.
Later, Biren also took stock of the progress of construction of Polo Ground at Ebudhou Marjing Eco-Tourism Park.
He was accompanied by TA and Hills Minister Letpao Haokip, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo and MLA of Keirao assembly constituency Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei, among others.
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