Gautam leads the Rural Futures initiatives of Balipara Foundation. In a span of over 8 years, he has executed many programs – from waste management initiative, establishing ecotourism model of conservation across 5 indigenous communities, assessing the potential of mushroom cultivation in NE India to leading the habitat restoration and agroforestry program in NE India. Gautam has designed the operational model for Rural Futures habitat restoration and agroforestry and created over 3 million Natural Assets across 3000 ha in the eastern himalayan landscape, creating livelihood for over 1500 indigenous community individuals. Gautam has also co-founded the Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark which preserves and propagates the endemic biodiversity of Eastern Himalayas. Recognized for his efforts in creating localized biodiversity inventories, Gautam has been nominated as Member of IUCN REDD+ Working Group for NE India and has been a key contributor to preserving the forest through the community-led habitat restoration program.