The state's administration is mulling over the idea of constructing a new airport in its metropolitan capital city. The regular airport is congested and stretched to full capacity. Studies show that the number of passengers using air travel as a means of transportation is increasing at 15°A every year. However, the new site identified in the outskirts of the city is in the middle of a mangrove forest. Environmentalists are up in arms at the prospect of tens of thousands of trees being cut down. They also point out that the wetlands- which host a very rich mix of plant and animal species and act as a natural water purification system- surrounding the forests will also be destroyed. The state's transport secretary, Mr. Solanki has been instructed by the government to arrive at a decision which would be feasible to all parties and which will not mitigate against sustainable development.

Which of the decisions is/are most appropriate?

1.    Mr. Solanki should go ahead and give the green signal to build the airport.

2.    Mr. Solanki should- after confirming the expected environmental damage from the environment ministry- look for alternative sites.

3.    Mr. Solanki should explore the idea of whether additional capacity can be created from the existing airport- which would enable a delay in the necessity for building a new airport by a few years.

4.    Mr. Solanki should try and convince the environmental groups that air travel is more important than frogs or mango trees.