Krishna Gautam - Community Forester/Forest Sector Analyst
“Climate change has changed the forest composition, indicating species are disappearing. We have not assessed the long term impact of species loss. “
Photos: Krishna Gautam
Q.1. When did you first become interested in trees?
I don’t know exactly when. I was born in a village in the western mountain region of Nepal. Trees were part of our life ever since I can remember. We used firewood for cooking and house warming, and collected fodder for cattle (mainly, cow, buffalo, goat and oxen). Trees grew on farmland, community land and public land. Fodder and fruit trees were mostly grown on homesteads or on farmland.
Sirkutan, Thumki municipality, Kaski district, Gandaki Province, Nepal
Q.2. Why did you decide to pursue a career in forestry?
I did a Bachelors degree in Mathematics, Physics and Statistics at Tribhuvan University (then, the only University of Nepal). I wasn’t sure whether to continue with a Masters degree or attempt an Engineering scholarship abroad.
I started teaching science and mathematics at a high school. While I was teaching, I won the Colombo Plan scholarship for a two year postgraduate study in India, which is the equivalent of a Master’s degree. Winning this scholarship was the sole reason I pursued my career in forestry. Since then, I have been involved in forestry research, development and management over four decades in Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.
Q.3. From your perspective, what do trees contribute to our world that makes them so important and valuable?
The basic thing that my parents and teachers taught me that we need trees for breathing is still fresh in my mind. Even my further studies and involvement in various aspects of forestry confirmed this. Yes, forestry is a contributor for economical and social development, and is growing globally, but forests contribution to the environment is their primary importance.
Home village, Gandaki Province, Nepal
Q.4. As someone who has worked extensively in different parts of the world, from your perspective, what are the major threats facing forests?
Climate change has changed the forest composition, indicating species are disappearing. We have not assessed the long term impact of species loss.
Q.5. What role can communities play in managing, harvesting and monitoring forests?
I have extensively and intensively worked with communities in engaging them in forestry development and management. Not only is it better to engage local communities but it is a must for sustainable forest management. Communities have enormous knowledge of local ecosystems.
Q.6. From your perspective, what can Canada learn from other countries about best practices in forest management?
Engaging and empowering local community is vital for sustainable forest management.
Explore possibilities of plantation forestry
Managing forests for non-timber forest products
Promoting people and community for urban forestry
Q.7. What effect does spending time in forests have on you personally?
A forest environment brings me to peace and a creative and energetic state. Particularly, when I am stressed, I feel relaxed in forests.
Gandaki Province, Nepal
Q.8. Finally, do you have a favourite tree in Ottawa? If so, which one and why?
The Maple leaf attracted me when I started exploring Canada and particularly Canadian forestry, and once I decided to move to Canada after completing a PhD from University of Canterbury, New Zealand. With my forestry profession, I was familiar with one of the maple species (e.g. Acer oblongum) in the Himalayas, but this was different.
After landing to Canada in 2001, I joined Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) to enhance my knowledge and extend my contacts with forests and forestry professionals in Canada. I tried to participate in CIF’s events. One of the CIF events in spring was a maple syrup festival, where I enjoyed the maple syrup for the first time and was able to connect with people working in Canadian forestry.
Maple festival at Vanier Museopark’s Sugar Shack (photo: Tree Fest Ottawa)