(1) Whenever it has been decided to constitute any land a reserved forest the State Government shall issue a notification,-
(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 claimed by or 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, bridges, or other well-known or readily intelligible boundaries.
(2) The officer appointed under clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall, be a person not holding any forest office except that of Forest Settlement Officer;
but a Forest Officer may be appointed by the State Government to represent it in the inquiry under this Chapter by the Forest Settlement Officer.