REDD + is a mitigation measure against global climate change that offers payments to developing countries based on the increased volume of forest carbon. It has been argued that affirmative measures should be adopted to ensure that communities, particularly the socially disadvantaged groups among them, receive payments not only to address inequities but also for resource conservation. Drawing on a case study of a NORAD pilot project in Nepal, this paper investigates how affirmative measures adopted under the project affect different social actors and their perceptions and behaviors in relation to forests. Our case highlights the risk that the mere application of affirmative measures may give rise to difficult social and environmental tensions. Thus, this paper calls for such measures to effectively incorporate local perspectives in their designs and to be reflective, by allowing for regular monitoring of impacts and modifications of the measures if adverse effects are detected.