We analyse firewood consumption along altitudinal gradient by households according to their socio-economic conditions in Garhwal Himalaya. Consumption of fuelwood was 789, 664, 518, and 544 kg/cap-yr and energy consumption for fuelwood collection was 41, 53, 52 and 80 x 10(3) kg/cap-yr, respectively, above 2000, for 1500-2000, 1000-1500, and 500-1000 m. Commercial fuel consumption constituted 0.6-4.5%