Reducing carbon emissions by enhancing forest quality with the help of local people is the main highlight of the final draft of the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) which awaits clearance from prime minister's council on climate change.

The draft of the GIM, which is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), aims at an ambitious target of 20 million hectares of forest cover by 2020 and was recently submitted by the environment ministry to the Council headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh.

"This document lays out the approach we wish to pursue in our efforts in the forestry sector. The overarching objective is to increase forest cover in 5 million hectares and improve the quality of forest cover in an area of corresponding size," environment minister Jairam Ramesh said.

The mission will help in improving forest-based livelihood income of about three million forest-dependable households.

The union minister had held intensive process of public debate and participation across the country to gather their views on the ways to "green" India.

The document proposes a fundamental shift in mindset from the traditional focus on merely increasing the quantity of forest cover towards increasing the quality of forest cover and enhancing forest-based income, Ramesh said.

He said the proposed GIM takes a holistic view of greening by not merely focusing on plantation to meet carbon sequestration but also aiming at enhancing bio-diversity, restoring ecosystems and habitat diversity.

The GIM which proposes investment of Rs 46,000 crore for carrying out green activities which will help in absorption of green house gases (GHG) to the tune of 6.35 per cent of the country's total emissions by 2020.

Recognising that forests are a source of livelihood for about 275 million people in the country, the draft document has ensured that local communities are at the heart of the implementation.

"A key innovation is the idea of engaging a cadre of young community foresters, most of whom will be from scheduled tribes and other forest dwelling communities, to facilitate planning, implementation and monitoring of activities at local level," Ramesh said.