Malkangiri Pony: Bid To Register Malkangiri Pony As A Separate Breed | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Conservation of Malkangiri pony is likely get a shot in the arm with head of the department of animal breeding and genetics in OUAT, Susanta Kumar Dash, applying for its registration as a separate breed with the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) on Monday.
Numbers of Malkangiri pony, which was a major medium of transportation in the hilly terrain, have dwindled after the construction of roads in the district.
“I am worried regarding the existence and conservation of this unique breed. If the horses are not utilised or engaged in some work, their numbers will drop significantly. Once the number of horses goes below 1,000, then it will be difficult to revive them,” said Dash, also a conservationist. Currently, there are 1,080 ponies, including 464 males and 428 females, and rest foals.
Malkangiri pony lives for about 20 years. An adult pony can carry 100-kg of weight on undulated and elevated terrain and 120 kg on plains easily. A female pony gives birth to 8-10 foals in her lifetime. The ponies were the major form of transportation in Swabhiman anchal, earlier called the cut-off area. After construction of the Gurupriya bridge to the Swabhiman anchal in 2018 and all-weather roads in Chitrakonda block, dependence on the ponies has reduced substantially.
Dash said once Malkangiri pony is registered as a special native breed, their conservation and improvement can be done by the govt and policy can be formulated for their protection and preservation. Unique qualities of the pony can be also preserved through in-situ conservation, he added. “For conservation, sustainable use of the livestock is important. Govt must think of using them for tourism and entertainment industry,” Dash said.
Once registered, Malkangiri pony will be the ninth registered horse breed in the country.
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