Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday launched a digital Pony Registration System (PRS) during the first meeting of the newly formed Manipuri Pony Development Board at the Secretariat in Mantripukhri.
The initiatives are intended to support the conservation of the critically endangered Manipuri Pony, an indigenous breed historically associated with the origins of modern polo.
The digital registry will create a database of the pony population and their owners. Officials said it would help track population trends, improve conservation efforts and provide better access to veterinary care, disease monitoring and welfare assistance, particularly for economically vulnerable caretakers.
During the meeting, the board reviewed the Manipur Pony Conservation and Development Policy, 2016, to update measures aimed at addressing the breed’s declining population.
Discussions focused on protecting grazing grounds and setting up dedicated reserves in several districts.
Board members said these measures were needed to address fodder shortages and prevent ponies from straying onto public roads, where they have increasingly been involved in traffic accidents.
The meeting also discussed coordination among government departments to connect pony conservation with eco-tourism, cultural heritage and traditional polo, known locally as Sagol Kangjei.
After the meeting, Yumnam said on his official social media account that he had chaired the board’s inaugural meeting.
He said state officials and conservationists had discussed key issues concerning the development of the breed, which is recognised as one of India’s seven distinct equine breeds.
Those who attended the meeting included Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur and IGP (Zone-I) Themthing Ngashangva.
Senior officials from the departments of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Tourism, Agriculture, Youth Affairs and Sports, Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Revenue, and Forest also attended.
Representatives from the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, the Manipur Pony Society and the Manipur Equestrian Association were also present.