Like the brow antlered deer pony which is found only in Manipur ought to be enlisted in the red book. Though the government gives an inflated figure of 1000 population the pony lovers, polo players and other insist that there are less than 400 ponies in Manipur and the figure dwindling.
There are royal chronicles, incontrovertible and indisputable treatises which say that polo was originated from Manipur. Some countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan claim the same. Forgetting the records and historical facts of which Manipur has more than enough the people should be judge. Since polo has been in the blood of the Manipuris for generations they are unquestioned and unparalleled players. The polo players from many foreign countries could never defeat the players of this tiny state. Players from Pakistan, Afghanistan and others should prove their mettle so that the issue is straightened out.
The well groomed and fed horses elsewhere in the world have to be trained for years. In sharp contrast no such training is needed in case of ponies since this game seems to be part of their being. The owners of the ponies let loose them throughout the year. The ponies stay in wastelands, low lying areas where there are lush grass. The owners search and rope in the ponies only a few days before the pony tournaments.
The British players are supposed to masters in this game throughout the world. But they have time and again conceded superiority by the players of Manipur. Every year they had to go back with their heads hung low. On some occasions they used to transport their horses from London on the assumption that once they are on these taller animals they could easily out manoeuvre and defeat the Manipur players. They were mistaken and had stopped bringing the horses at huge splurge.
There was a fear that once the celebrated players who are in the evening of their lives retire Manipur will face setbacks in this game. However it is gratifying to note that several youths are polo enthusiasts and there shall be no vacuum.
The oldest polo ground in the world is the one situated in Imphal. It was constructed in 1606 when King Khegemba was in power in Kangleipak, the ancient name of Manipur. The first polo match between the British team and the Manipuri team was played in Kolkata 150 years ago. The international polo match is being held in Imphal from November 22 to 29 to celebrate this match.
The marauding Burmese army had raided and conquered Manipur. The king, soldiers and a large section of the people fled to Cachar to evade them, regroup for striking back. While staying in Cachar they also played polo and the British tea planters and others first watched the riveting game there. The first Cachar polo club was established there in 1859. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi says that now it is an international agreed fact that polo was started from Manipur. Those countries which had claimed to be the origin of polo might have realised that their claim will not hold water. In any case, they cannot beat the Manipuris in this game and there is no explanation for it if their forefather were actually players as they claim.
The anguish of the animal lovers and polo enthusiasts was past bearing when they see stray ponies hanging around busy streets, sometimes causing fatal road accidents. The government and organisations concerned did precious nothing to look after this world famous species. It was in this backdrop that the Manipur government had taken up some steps to open a pony sanctuary at Heingang near Imphal. There were stiff oppositions from some villagers saying that they will not sacrifice paddy fields and grazing field for the sanctuaries. However government and local youths prevailed upon these scheming, mean minded, tendentious and politically motivated elements to back out. The government and the pony lovers hope that once the sanctuary is opened the pony population will increase.
At least pony has a good chance to survive. But it is not so for the brow antlered deer. Despite the opening of the 40 sq.km national park in its natural habit the population of the deer was less than 200 in a census conducted some years back. If unfettered poaching and free sale of venison are any indication the days of this rare deer are numbered.
