People of Tiruvarur district on Wednesday appealed to GAIL India Ltd to take up onshore oil and gas exploration in Mannargudi and Thiruthuraipoondi blocks of the district without affecting the cultivable lands and their livelihood.

Speaking at a public hearing organised by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for onshore oil and gas exploration (exploratory drilling) by GAIL India Ltd at Mannargudi, people said most of the farmers in the district are small and marginal farmers.