ISLAMABAD:
Not long ago, travelers who ventured beyond Naran towards Batakundi found themselves surrounded by vibrant green hillsides, open grasslands and mountains that stretched endlessly into the sky. But that landscape was changing, and quickly. Hotels, guesthouses, and private villas were steadily spreading throughout the valley.
Where once green spaces defined the character of the place, now concrete was taking over. Construction machinery was rumbling, building materials lay in piles and new, newly built properties had become a common sight in a region once prized for its tranquil, natural beauty.
Hasrat Khan, who serves as deputy commissioner of Balakot, a sub-division of Mansehra district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, said KDA has recently increased law enforcement efforts against unauthorized constructions and environmentally harmful developments in Kaghan Valley, especially Shogran, Naran, Kaghan, Battakundi, Jalkhad, Barwai and Baiser.
Naran continues to attract thousands of visitors every summer and remains one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Pakistan. The town of Naran had always been the commercial heart of the valley. But Batakundi, a nearby settlement, had until recently maintained a quieter and less developed character. Visitors who recalled the area in 2019 spoke of only a handful of hotels operating there. Now, just a few years later, dozens of hotels and guesthouses have been completed, and many more are still in various stages of construction.
Fukraj, a tourist who visited Naran in 2023, said she remembered a striking temperature difference between Naran town and Batakundi. “When we arrived in the city of Naran, the weather was surprisingly warm,” he recalled. “However, as we moved towards Batakundi, the temperature became noticeably colder.” He said he had since seen numerous videos on social media showing extensive hotel construction in the area. He wondered if large-scale development could be contributing to these environmental changes.
Sajida, a teacher who visited the valley in 2024, observed that environmental concerns went beyond mere construction. “We stayed in a hotel near Jheel Road and our room faced the green mountains,” he said. “However, construction debris could be seen scattered in different locations, while rubbish, including used diapers, was seen in several areas.” In his opinion, tourists themselves also play a role in environmental degradation when they do not dispose of waste responsibly.
For some visitors, changing weather patterns and increasing commercialization had begun to diminish the valley’s charm. Tourist Zubaida, who traveled to Naran with her family every year, explained that they had decided not to visit this year. “Every year we plan a family trip to Naran,” he said, “but this year we will not attend due to changing weather conditions.” She recalled how they enjoyed the beauty of Batakundi, but noted that recent videos showed a proliferation of hotel construction.
Rising accommodation costs have also become a major concern for tourists. Saman, a student from Haripur, mentioned that her family was reconsidering their annual visit due to rising hotel rates. “Hotel prices have increased significantly over the years,” he noted. “Some three-star hotels charge rates comparable to luxury properties.” He added that many hotels advertised panoramic views and charged high prices, but visitors often found construction in progress or obstructed views.
As another tourist season begins, many people wonder how much development the valley can sustain before the natural beauty that has made it one of Pakistan’s most prized destinations begins to fade. For now, the mountains remained, but many visitors feared that if current trends persisted, the verdant landscapes that defined Naran and Batakundi could gradually give way to concrete and commercial expansion.
With the proposed Mansehra-Kaghan-Naran-Chilas Expressway expected to improve access to the region, tourism in the valley is likely to grow further in the coming years. However, visitors say development must be balanced with environmental protection to avoid the loss of green landscapes and natural settings that have long defined the area’s appeal.
