Forest depletion is one of the serious environmental concerns in Pakistan. The already meager forest resource is under severe anthropogenic pressure and is vanishing rapidly. Lack of alternative to fuel wood is one of the major underlying causes of the forest depletion. Many efforts have been made to reduce the pressure on natural forests by introducing new technologies such as Solar Water Heaters. Solar Water Heaters have been introduced in Galiat valley to reduce pressure on natural forest resource for fuel wood. This study was designed to evaluate the impacts of this alternative fuel technology on forest resource conservation and find out its social and economic impacts on the rural dwellers. The results of the study are encouraging as the technology adoption has significantly reduced the fuelwood consumption and hence pressure on the forests. Similarly, the technology has contributed significantly in improving the socio-economic condition of the households using this technology.

Key Words: Solar Water Heaters, Forest Conservations, Social and economic impacts, Fuel Wood