Closing down existing well

Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, including this Act, the Appropriate Authority, on the advice of the Technical Officer, that any existing well in the area of an over-exploited watershed is found to be adversely affecting any public drinking water source and if such source cannot be adequately protected by action under section 8, may, after giving its owner a reasonable opportunity of being heard, by an order require him to stop the extraction of water from, and close or seal off, such well forthwith either temporarily or permanently, having regard to the extent to which it so adversely affects.