UK-funded initiative turns Jab Valley’s waterfalls into a sustainable tourist destination
HARIPUR:
Hazara Falls
Work on the Hazara Falls in Jab Valley, Haripur, has been completed under a UK-funded eco-tourism initiative that aims to transform the area into one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s most distinctive natural attractions.
The project, supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through WWF-Pakistan’s Water Resource Accountability Project (WRAP), has successfully delivered the first phase of development. With Rs5 million in funding, the initiative constructed a safe walking trail, visitors’ hut and viewing platforms designed to ensure accessibility and environmental safety.
The upgraded facilities replace the previously unsafe local trail, providing a safer route to the site’s eight major cascades—the tallest of which rises nearly 400 feet.
These improvements aim to promote eco-friendly tourism while preserving Jab Valley’s fragile ecosystem.
Discovered in 2021 by Hassan Nisar, Founder and CEO of Metrix Pakistan, Hazara Falls is now poised to become an important part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tourism landscape. “When I returned to Jab Valley and saw the finished work, it was an emotional moment,” Nisar said during his visit earlier this month. “Just a few years ago, this place was hidden from the world – known only to a handful of locals. It is deeply rewarding to see safe trails, eco-friendly structures and local families making a profit from tourism.”
He said the transformation reflected the strength of public-private collaboration and the potential of Pakistan’s unexplored natural assets. “Our goal was not only to build paths, but to build hope,” he added.
“The smiles on the faces of the local youth who are now working as guides and vendors tell the real story of progress. Jab Valley has proven that development and conservation can go hand in hand.”
Raja Muhammad Tahir, a Haripur-based journalist who has been promoting the falls along with Nisar since their discovery, also welcomed the completion of the project. “When we first started reporting on this area, there were no roads, no signage and no recognition,” he said.
“Today, Jab Valley is on the tourism map of Pakistan – not because of coincidence, but because of consistent efforts and vision. This project has given Haripur a new identity.”
Tahir added that sustained media attention and responsible tourism management would be essential to preserve the valley’s pristine environment.
“The challenge now is to maintain what has been built – to ensure that visitors respect nature and that the benefits reach local communities,” he said.
Local residents have also expressed optimism that the initiative will bring lasting economic and social benefits.
Several families have started offering guided tours, refreshments and handmade crafts to visitors.
Community elders said the project has created new income opportunities while promoting environmental awareness among younger generations.
