On Wednesday, 20 May 2026, a cooperation agreement for the international project “Capacity development in Bhutan’s forestry sector – a contribution to guiding the sector in critical times (CAPFOR)” was formally signed at BOKU University.
The agreement was signed on behalf of BOKU University by Ursula Nopp-Mayr, Head of the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity, together with Rudolf Knünz, entrepreneur and Honorary Consul for Bhutan in Austria, as well as the project’s sponsor.
The scientific leadership of the project lies with Georg Gratzer (Professor of Mountain Forest Ecology, BOKU), Mathias Kirchner (Centre for Global Change and Sustainability, BOKU) and Tiger Sangay (Dean at the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forestry Research and Training, Bhutan).
Sustainable forest management
CAPFOR aims to strengthen the long-term sustainable development of the forestry sector in the Kingdom of Bhutan through scientific training, international cooperation and transdisciplinary research. The focus is on training young forestry experts and developing forward-looking strategies for sustainable forest management in the context of the climate and biodiversity crisis.
“Forests and forestry are currently caught between conflicting societal expectations worldwide – ranging from increased timber production as a means of substituting fossil raw materials to the protection of biodiversity through reduced use. These challenges are also evident – and to a particular degree – in Bhutan. Together with our Bhutanese partners, we aim to use participatory and systems analysis approaches to develop solutions that best combine ecological, economic and social requirements,” emphasises Georg Gratzer.
Master Degrees and PhD scholarships for sustainable future strategies
As part of the project, six forestry specialists from Bhutan will complete a Master’s degree in “Mountain Forestry” at BOKU. In addition, a PhD scholarship will be awarded. The research will focus in particular on participatory methods of systems analysis and the development of future scenarios for the Bhutanese forestry sector.
“Since my first business trip to Bhutan in 1986, I have observed the development of the forestry sector there over the decades. “Together with BOKU’s long-standing research experience, we aim to contribute to sustainable future strategies for the Bhutanese forestry sector through this project,” says Rudolf Knünz. Through his company LCS, Mr. Knünz has so far supplied more than 70 forestry cableways to Bhutan and has also been supporting an agricultural development project in a high-altitude valley in Bhutan for 15 years.
Sustainability through international cooperation
The collaboration builds on a decades-long partnership between BOKU and Bhutanese institutions. Scientific cooperation in the fields of mountain forest ecology and nature conservation has been in place for more than 30 years. Since 2002, more than 20 specialists from Bhutan have received academic training in mountain forest management at BOKU.
The project underscores BOKU’s international role as a leading European university in the fields of sustainability, forest ecology and resource management. At the same time, the collaboration exemplifies how scientific training and international partnerships can contribute to addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable resource use.
The CAPFOR project is scheduled to run from October 2026 to September 2031.
Scientific contact
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Georg Gratzer
BOKU University
Institute of Forest Ecology
Email: georg.gratzer(at)boku.ac.at
Telephone: +43 1 47654 91215