Work has been completed at the Hazara Falls in Jab Valley, Haripur, under a UK-funded eco-tourism initiative aimed at transforming the area into one of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s most distinctive natural attractions.
The project, supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & 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 has built a safe walking trail, visitors’ hut and viewing platforms designed to ensure both accessibility and environmental safety.
The upgraded facilities replace the dangerous local trail previously used by residents and visitors, offering a safer route to the site’s eight major cascades, the tallest of which rises nearly 400 feet. The improvements are aimed at promoting eco-friendly tourism while protecting Jab Valley’s fragile ecosystem.
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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 to the site 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 profiting from tourism.”
He added that 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,” Nisar said. “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 prominent Haripur-based journalist who has been actively promoting the falls along with Nisar since their discovery, also praised 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 Pakistan’s tourism map, not because of coincidence, but because of consistent efforts and vision. This project has given Haripur a new identity”.
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Tahir added that continued media attention and responsible tourism management would be key to preserving the valley’s pristine environment. “The challenge now is to maintain what has been built and ensure that visitors respect nature and that the benefits reach the local communities,” he said.
Residents have also expressed optimism that the project will bring long-term economic and social benefits. Several families have already started offering guided tours, refreshments and handmade crafts to visitors. Community elders said the project has provided new income opportunities while promoting environmental awareness among younger generations.
With the completion of the first phase, Hazara Falls has transformed from a remote natural wonder into a managed ecotourism destination, offering visitors a rare convergence of natural beauty, societal benefit and environmental stewardship.
