23. (1) The Forest Settlement Officer shall at some convenient place enquire into the existence of any rights which are claimed under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 22 or which may be ascertained by him from any other source. (2) The Forest Settlement Officer shall give a hearing to the Regional Forest Officer or an Officer authorised by such Regional Forest Officer in writing in this behalf, to satisfy himself as to the necessity of modifying or extinguishing any right in the interests of the conservation of the forest.