(1)Whenever it is proposed to constitute any land as a reserved forest, the Government shall publish a notification in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette and in the District Gazette concerned if any;(a)specifying, as nearly as possible, the situation and limits of such land;(b)declaring that it is proposed to constitute such land as a reserved forest;(c)appointing a Forest Settlement Officer to consider the objections, if any, against the declaration under clause (b) and to enquire 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 Chapter.Explanation. - For the purpose of clause (a), it shall be sufficient to describe the limits of the land by any well known or readily intelligible boundaries, such as roads, rivers, bridges and the like.(2)A person appointed to be a Forest Settlement Officer under clause (c) of sub section (1) shall be an officer of the Revenue Department not below the rank of a Revenue Divisional Officer.(3)Any forest officer may represent the Forest Department at the inquiry conducted under this Chapter.
