The state government’s plan to develop a sanctuary for Manipuri ponies at Heingang Marjing Khubam might bring cheers to many dejected faces. Under the project, the government aims to provide the much needed patronage to the famed equine breed with a rich history but presently staring at the face of extinction. During an inspection trip to the site, Chief Minister Ibobi unveiled the fancy plans for preservation of the Manipuri ponies, their breeding and sheltering of abandoned animals and also the consequent upgradation of the sanctuary into an eco-friendly tourism destination. Greeting an apparently earnest move by the government with cynicism will be rude and preposterous. But attempts in the past over the last two decades for rehabilitation of the unfortunate Manipuri ponies have invariably ended in shambles, despite the aplomb marking the beginning. The disastrous ending could be traced to a pathetic lack of vision and sincerity on part of the officials in charge. The heartbreaking news is since the early 1990s when the need to take steps on a war footing to save the Manipur ponies was already felt, their numbers have dwindled continuously from around two thousands to a meager 700 at present. In fact, in the likelihood of the trend continuing and barring something extraordinary happening, the ponies will soon become showcase items at the museums for foreign tourists and polo enthusiasts.
Time has changed when the horses were domesticated because of the values of their multiple services and treated with reverence like family members. People now find it more profitable to raise cattle and poultry instead. On top of that, the shrinking open fields and large scale crop cultivation have virtually pushed them into the streets and reduced their dignity to the level of alley cats. Maimed and infested ponies scavenging for leftovers and seeking temporary shelters from pouring rain are an avoidable sight in the streets of modern Imphal. And if reports are true, over the last three years the state government budget for welfare of the ponies has been totally scraped.
The dwindling population of ponies is mostly linked to premature deaths from consumption of polluted materials and plastics while foraging in the open for food and lethal injuries inflicted by humans for trespassing into private fields. Many of those deaths were preventable with proper and timely care and treatment for the sick animals. Ideally, we require a modern veterinary clinic first of all to provide quality medical and surgical care with facilities for clinical examination and nutritional consultation among others.
Promotion of polo clubs in Manipur has been established as another way for ensuring the welfare of the ponies. More than half of the two dozen polo clubs in the state are fighting for survivals. The government’s rehabilitation program should span to investment of money to these clubs that are interested in breeding and rearing of the ponies. Further, the program should spread its wing to other places than the twin districts of Imphal like Bishnupur, Thoubal etc.