Concerned over opening of Char Dham, can't be allowed to become breeding ground: Uttarakhand High Court

The Uttarakhand High Court on Wednesday expressed its concern over the proposed opening of Char Dham in the State amid COVID19 pandemic as it opined that such a step must only be taken in a systematic manner. .A Division Bench of Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice AK Verma said,"We don't want the State to face embarrassment ..if it is required to be opened up, it must be done in a systematic manner...can't open up and make it into a breeding ground.".The Court also called for a "harmonious relationship" between the Uttarakhand government and the Char Dham management. .During the course of the hearing, the Court also stated that although, as of now, no pilgrims were allowed inside the temples, there were videos which showed non- adherence of COVID19 protocols by the priests and other staff. .The Court noted that the priests and staff could be seen without wearing masks while performing the rites and exiting the temple, in violation of social distancing norms. .Stating that it was it was not happy with the report filed by the State's tourism department, the Court today asked the Secretary of the Department to join the hearing on the next date. .The Court was hearing a batch of petitions concerning COVID19 related issues in the State of Uttarakhand. .Apart from the issue of Char Dham, then Court also questioned the State authorities as to how they intended to tackle the third wave of COVID-19 and the increasing black fungus cases. ."The scientific community is already forecasting the possible emergence of the third wave..the number of cases of black fungus, yellow fungus and white fungus.. has also increased leaps and bounds.".The Court has asked the State authorities to implement the suggestions given by the expert committees constituted by it to deal with the third wave, in letter and spirit. .It is also suggested that the State gvernment could consider the feasibility of taking help from civil society to prepare itself to deal with the third wave, as well as roping in icons from Uttarakhand to sensitise the masses. .With respect to vaccination of those living in mountainous regions, the Court has asked the State government to consider the possibility of carrying out door-to-door vaccination. ."Unless it is carried out at war speed, it will be difficult to stop the onslaught of the third wave", the Court opined. .Further, State and Centre has been directed to ensure the steady supply of black fungus drug, Liposomal Amphotericin B. Direction is also given to State government to strengthen the medical infrastructure, augment ICU beds, ventilators etc, and to give publicity to the available facilities to treat the fungus. .Amongst other things, State government has also been asked to take action against private hospitals that are violating "price cap" order, and to implement central government SOP on surveillance of incoming persons, home isolation, vaccination of those without prescribed identity cards. etc. .The matter would be heard next on June 16..Read the order: