(1)Whenever it has been decided to constitute any land a reserved forest, the [State Government] [[Substituted by A.O.1950, for "ProvincialGovernment".]] shall issue a notification in the Official Gazette(a)declaring that it has been decided to constitute such land a reserved forest;(b)specifying, as nearly as possible, the situation and limits of such land; and(c)appointing an officer (hereinafter called the Forest Settlement Officer) to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of any rights alleged to exist in favour of any person in or over any land comprised within such limits, or in or over any forest-produce, and to deal with the same as provided in this Chapter.Explanation. For the purpose of clause (b), it shall be sufficient to describe the limits of the forest by roads, rivers, ridges or other well-known or readily intelligible boundaries.
