- Whenever it is proposed to constitute any land a Reserved Forest, the Government shall publish a notification in the Gazette-(a)specifying as nearly as possible, the situation and limits of such land;(b)declaring that it is proposed to constitute such land a Reserved Forest; and(c)appointing an officer (hereinafter called the Forest Settlement Officer) to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of any rights claimed by, or alleged to exist in favour of, any person in or over any land comprised Within such limits, or to any forest produce of such land, and to deal with the same as provided in this Act.The officer appointed under clause (c) of this section shall ordinarily be a person other than a Forest Officer; but a Forest Officer may be appointed by the Government to attend, on behalf of the Government, at the inquiry prescribed by this Chapter.
