Afforestation
Afforestation refers to the process of establishing forests on lands that were not previously forested. It involves planting trees on barren lands or converting non-forest land into forested areas.
- **Creation of New Forests:** Afforestation involves planting new trees in areas where there was no forest cover before.
- **Environmental Benefits:** It helps in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, improving air quality, and providing habitat for wildlife.
- **Soil Conservation:** Afforestation helps in preventing soil erosion and improving soil fertility.
- **Biodiversity Conservation:** It promotes biodiversity by creating new habitats for various plant and animal species.

Reforestation
Reforestation, on the other hand, involves restoring forests that have been depleted or damaged due to human activities, natural disasters, or other reasons. It focuses on replanting trees in areas that were previously forested but lost their tree cover.
- **Restoration of Forests:** Reforestation aims to restore the ecological functions of a forest that has been degraded or destroyed.
- **Carbon Sequestration:** It helps in sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby contributing to efforts to combat climate change.
- **Habitat Restoration:** Reforestation provides habitat for various species of plants and animals that depend on forests.
- **Water Conservation:** Forests play a crucial role in maintaining water cycles, and reforestation helps in preserving water resources.
In summary, while afforestation involves creating new forests on non-forest lands, reforestation focuses on restoring degraded or damaged forests. Both processes are essential for environmental conservation and sustainable development.