JODHPUR, April 27 -- The Rajasthan high court has directed an expert committee to examine whether a large tract of land in Jaisalmer district qualifies as protected Oran (sacred grove) land, while continuing its interim order prohibiting the cutting of trees on the site. A division bench of justices Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Sandeep Shah passed the order on Friday while hearing a writ petition filed by Mukand Singh Bhati and Jujhar Singh, residents of village Baiya in Jaisalmer. The petitioners claimed that Khasra No. 386 was historically recorded as Oran land. The state government, however, told the court there is no Oran land at the site as per its records, though it acknowledged presence of over 6,500 large and small trees. The bench therefore directed that the matter be placed before the five-member committee constituted to identify sacred groves in Rajasthan. It has been asked to examine whether the land in question falls within the scope of the top court's directions regarding protection of Oran lands and submit its report to the court by May 20. dinesh bothra...