RK Ranjan bats for Pony Conservation Policy

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 6 : Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education  Dr RK Ranjan Singh has expressed desire for the State to implement Manipuri Pony Conservation and Development Policy 2016 in letter and spirit and keep some areas on reserve in different districts as grazing grounds for ponies and to promote polo.
Dr Ranjan made the remark at the inaugural function of a National level workshop  on "Manipur Pony Conservation and Sustainable Management : Emerging Issues and Challenges" held at the auditorium of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, today.
At the function, the MoS stressed on the need to develop natural grazing grounds for ponies in different districts of the State.
Saying that the Department of School Education must introduce lesson  to sensitise the younger generation about the cultural heritage surrounding Manipuri pony breed and Sagol Kangjei in the academic syllabus, Dr Ranjan said that incentives need to be given to pony owners and polo players to promote Sagol Kangjei.
Dr Ranjan also said that establishing a horse riding/training school in Manipur will go a long way in protecting the local pony breed.
Expressing concern over the decreasing population of Manipuri ponies and loss of its habitats due to urbanisation, deforestation, loss of water bodies etc, the MoS maintained that the population of the pony breed recorded as per 20th quinquennial Livestock Census 2022 was only 1089.
Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister Khasim Vashum also attended the workshop.
The Minister said that he will consult the suggestion given by Veterinary Council of India (VCI) to set up a veterinary college in Manipur with all stakeholders and authorities concerned.
Saying that the State Government has also been working to set up a veterinary college in Manipur, he maintained that a collective effort is needed to protect  ponies. Further stating that there won't be more than 500 ponies in Manipur if counted even if the census report claimed the figure to be above 1000, the Minister said that funding from the Centre and other financial institutions is required to conserve the critically endangered pony breed. VCI president Dr Umesh Chandra and Vice Chancellor of CAU Dr Anupam Mishra also attended the programme among others.