Community forestry (CF) in Nepal has sparked debate over whether it empowers or marginalizes local communities. While CF is seen as a means to empower the poor, women, and lower castes by involving them in decision-making, there are also concerns that it may reinforce existing power structures, benefiting elites. The CF program has enabled the formation of Forest User Groups (FUGs), which are crucial for managing forest resources and other village development activities. FUGs provide a platform for all users, including women and marginalized groups, to participate in discussions and decision-making processes. However, there are instances where the poor and marginalized are excluded from these processes, leading to their marginalization. Women's participation in CF has increased, with policies encouraging their involvement in decision-making and recognizing their role as resource managers. Despite this, some poor women still face barriers to participation. Similarly, lower castes have seen some inclusion in CF processes, but they remain marginalized in terms of access to resources and decision-making power. The CF policy aims to empower the poor by involving them in forest management, but in practice, the benefits often go to elites. The FUG fund, intended to support community development, has been used in ways that may marginalize the poor. For example, a woman with an abandoned husband used a loan from the FUG, but her land certificate was held by the FUG committee, preventing her from reclaiming her land. The implementation of CF policies is influenced by existing power structures, which can limit the empowerment of the poor. Despite the intentions of CF to improve the lives of marginalized communities, the reality is that the poor and marginalized often face exclusion and marginalization. To address this, there is a need for strong political commitment to monitor and evaluate CF implementation, ensuring that the poor and marginalized have a voice in decision-making processes. Additionally, local structures that prevent the poor from benefiting from CF must be reformed to ensure equitable access to resources and decision-making power.Community forestry (CF) in Nepal has sparked debate over whether it empowers or marginalizes local communities. While CF is seen as a means to empower the poor, women, and lower castes by involving them in decision-making, there are also concerns that it may reinforce existing power structures, benefiting elites. The CF program has enabled the formation of Forest User Groups (FUGs), which are crucial for managing forest resources and other village development activities. FUGs provide a platform for all users, including women and marginalized groups, to participate in discussions and decision-making processes. However, there are instances where the poor and marginalized are excluded from these processes, leading to their marginalization. Women's participation in CF has increased, with policies encouraging their involvement in decision-making and recognizing their role as resource managers. Despite this, some poor women still face barriers to participation. Similarly, lower castes have seen some inclusion in CF processes, but they remain marginalized in terms of access to resources and decision-making power. The CF policy aims to empower the poor by involving them in forest management, but in practice, the benefits often go to elites. The FUG fund, intended to support community development, has been used in ways that may marginalize the poor. For example, a woman with an abandoned husband used a loan from the FUG, but her land certificate was held by the FUG committee, preventing her from reclaiming her land. The implementation of CF policies is influenced by existing power structures, which can limit the empowerment of the poor. Despite the intentions of CF to improve the lives of marginalized communities, the reality is that the poor and marginalized often face exclusion and marginalization. To address this, there is a need for strong political commitment to monitor and evaluate CF implementation, ensuring that the poor and marginalized have a voice in decision-making processes. Additionally, local structures that prevent the poor from benefiting from CF must be reformed to ensure equitable access to resources and decision-making power.