UK-funded initiative transforms Jab Valley Waterfalls into sustainable tourism destination
HARIPUR:
Hazara Waterfall
Work on Hazara Waterfalls in Haripur’s Jab Valley has been completed as part of a UK-funded ecotourism initiative aimed at transforming the area into one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s most distinctive natural attractions.
The project, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through WWF-Pakistan’s Water Resource Accountability Project (WRAP), has completed the first phase of development. With funding of Rs 5 million, the initiative constructed a safe walking trail, a visitor cabin and viewing platforms designed to ensure accessibility and environmental safety.
The improved facilities replace the previously dangerous local path, providing a safer route to the site’s eight main waterfalls, the highest of which rises almost 400 feet.
These improvements aim to promote environmentally friendly tourism while preserving the fragile ecosystem of the Jab Valley.
Discovered in 2021 by Hassan Nisar, Founder and CEO of Metrix Pakistan, Hazara Waterfalls is now poised to become a key part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tourism landscape. “When I came back to the Jab Valley and saw the completed 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 and known only to a handful of local residents. Now seeing safe trails, eco-friendly structures, and local families who earn their income from tourism is deeply rewarding.”
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 trails, but also to create hope,” he added.
“The smiles on the faces of local young people, who now work 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 waterfalls alongside Nisar since their discovery, also welcomed the project’s completion. “When we first started reporting on this area, there were no roads, no signage, no reconnaissance,” he said.
“Today, Jab Valley is on the tourism map of Pakistan – not by chance, but through constant effort and vision. This project has given Haripur a new identity.”
Tahir added that sustained 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, ensuring that visitors respect nature and that the benefits flow to local communities,” he said.
Local residents also expressed optimism that the initiative would bring lasting economic and social benefits.
Several families began offering tours, refreshments and crafts to visitors.
Community elders said the project created new income opportunities while promoting environmental awareness among younger generations.
