Section 11 in The Himachal Pradesh Forest (Settlement) Rules 1965, As Amended By First Amendment Rules 1975
11. Data to be collected by Forest Settlement Officer.
- (i) After publication of a notification under Section 4 of the Act the Forest Settlement Officer will collect the following information with the assistance of the Divisional Forest Officer.(a)Sketch map of the forest illustrating the demarcation line.(b)A description of the boundary.(c)Proclamation by the Forest Settlement Officer: -The first step to be taken by the Forest Settlement Officer is the publication of a proclamation under section 6 of the Act as given in Form specifying the situation and limits of the proposed Reserved as published in the Official Gazette, explaining the consequences which will ensure on the reservation of the forest and requiring all persons claiming any rights in or over such forests, to specify within the prescribed period, either in writing or verbally the nature of such rights and the amount and the particulars or the compensation (if any) claimed in respect thereof. A period of at least three months from the date of publication of the proclamation must be allowed for the presentation of claims and the proclamation must be published in Hindi and posted in every town and village in the vicinity of the proposed reserve forest and it will also be done by beat of drum or in any other manner convenient. Copies of the proclamation should be sent to the Divisional Forest Officer, Tehsildar and the President of the Gram Panchayat concerned and copies of the acknowledgement of the receipt of such proclamation will be placed in the village file. The forest Settlement Officer should, moreover, not only publish and distribute the proclamation as above, but also explain its meaning at every convenient opportunity to the villagers concerned.
