Chief Minister N Biren on Tuesday inspected the 30 acre Pony Breeding Ground at Lamphelpat which was allocated to Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA). N Biren also informed that a Sagol Kangjei ground each would be developed in five valley districts and that Sagol Kangjei Ground at Wangjing Tentha Awang Leikai, Thoubal District would be developed first.
Later, CM N Biren inspected the pony breeding site at Pangei, Imphal East, and the progress of the construction of Sagol Kangjei ground at Ibudhou Marjing Eco-Tourism Park
Briefing the media at Lamphelpat, N Biren stated that Pony had been associated with Manipur since time immemorial and had taken an important role in driving out the Awa from the State during the Seven Years Devastation period.
However, due to the lack of breeding ground, we could see lots of ponies gathered on many roads leading to certain accidents and endangering the survival of the species. As such, the State Government along with MHRPA had started bringing the ponies to the breeding ground, he said.
The Chief Minister was surprised to learn from experts that Manipuri Pony is the only horse breed that has adaptability for feeding on swampy land. He also expressed his proud feeling about the uniqueness of the pony.
He continued that the State Government had made a plan to conserve water bodies for which 427 acres of land would be dug. Conveying that those muds coming out from digging would be used to level up the breeding ground at Lamphelpat, he said that the breeding ground would be upgraded to make it a permanent breeding ground for ponies.
Maintaining that the State Government had been taking up all possible measures to safeguard the Manipur Pony, he urged the Pony breeders not to let their ponies gather at the roadside and to bring them to the breeding ground at Lamphelpat if the breeders don’t have such a facility at their places.
Chief Minister Biren was accompanied by TA & Hills Minister Letpao Haokip, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, and MLA of Keirao AC Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei among others.