Innumerable studies about Nepal have pointed out the severe degradation of forests in the country. SOme of the studies have gone one step further and have included aspects of utilisation and have looked at the impact of degradation upon the local population. At the same time, there is a vast body of studies on (environmental) policies, which also, or primarily, include issues of implementation and impact of these policies. Yet only a few studies have focused upon analysing different social groups and upon differentiating the impact that either forest degradation or the implementation of (environmental) policies have upon these different social groups, and upon their working and living conditions. One of these studies was undertaken in Sindhupalchok district, monitoring the implementation of the recent forest policy by analysing the composition of forest user groups and access to forest products by members and non-members of these groups. The aim of the study was to assess whether or not it is primarily people from "poor sections of society" who are included in these groups, as suggested by the Forestry Master Plan.
