Polo Plus

The Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association hopes to improve the conditions of traditional pony-rearers in the state, said HD Dilip Singh, president of the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association at a felicitation function of the 11 Manipur Polo International players at Imphal last week, according to a report in the Kanglaonline. He appreciated the efforts of pony- rearers who have kept the tradition alive without any financial support whatsoever. The association hopes to introduce a scheme called “Polo Plus” to generate income for them. Manipur has a pony breeding farm at Lamphelpat at the foot hill of Langol range. The association feels if a scheme for trekking on pony rides in the hills is introduced it will be a tourist attraction. A sum of Rs 100,000 and a trophy were presented to the polo team that won the 11 Manipur Polo International. Director of Veterinary Department, Chaoba gave Rs 20,000 as a mark of encouragement.

Exotic destination

Arunachal tourism bagged the “best decorated stand (national)” and the “exotic destination of the year” awards in the recently-held India International Travel Mart at Kochi’s Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium, says a report in the Itanagar-based Arunachal Times. The stall drew large crowds and enquired about tourist attractions in the state. Many Kochi local tour operators agreed on some direct-tour package with Arunachal tour operators. The IITM is an event for national and international travel communities to come together to showcase their tourism potential.

Donates  ambulances

Nagaland Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio donated an ambulance each to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, Dimapur and Kohima units, says a report in the Morung Express. Rio said “By God’s grace, one ambulance each had already been donated to all the four districts of eastern Nagaland namely, Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire”. All the six were under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme 2017-18.

Lemon festival

Kachai Lemon Festival began at Kachai local ground in Manipur’s Ukhrul district last week, says a report in the Assam Tribune. The festival was organised by Kachai Fruit Farming and Processing Cooperative Society. Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar announced that the department will provide Rs 24 lakh for construction of a rural market shed and a retail market shed at Kachai village.

He further announced that the forest department will soon start a monetary assistance scheme for preservation of trees. The scheme is likely to be initiated by March.