Answer to Question 1
TRUE
Answer to Question 2
In general, the environment in Central Asia is relatively clean because of both the low population density and the relatively low level of economic development. The major environmental issues in the region are the shrinking of the Aral Sea and other bodies of water that are dependent on the flow of rivers to keep their water levels up. The removal of water from these rivers for irrigation has caused the level of inland lakes and seas to drop, with the Aral Sea among the most devastated with exposed salt flats now present where the world's 4th largest lake used to be. These exposed salt flats and the increased salinity of the remaining waters of the Aral Sea create additional environmental problems for fish and people living in the surrounding areas experiencing windblown salts destroying agricultural attempts. In addition, desertification is occurring in dryer areas.
