Work has been completed on the Hazara Falls in Jab Valley, Haripur, under a UK-funded ecotourism initiative that aimed to turn the area into one of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s most distinctive natural attractions.
The project, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom through WWF-Pakistan’s Water Resources Accountability Project (WRAP), has successfully completed the first phase of development.
With funding of Rs 5 crore, the initiative has built a safe walking trail, a visitor hut and viewing platforms designed to ensure both accessibility and environmental safety.
The upgraded facilities replace the dangerous local path previously used by residents and visitors, offering a safer route to the site’s eight main waterfalls, the tallest of which rises nearly 400 feet. The improvements aim to promote eco-tourism while safeguarding the fragile Jab Valley ecosystem.
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Discovered in 2021 by Hassan Nisar, founder and CEO of Metrix Pakistan, the Hazara waterfalls are now set to become a key 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 and only known to a handful of locals. Now seeing safe roads, eco-friendly structures and local families benefiting from tourism is deeply gratifying.”
He added that the transformation reflects the strength of public-private collaboration and the potential of Pakistan’s untapped natural assets. “Our goal was not just to build roads, but also to create hope,” Nisar said. “The smiles on the faces of local youth, now working as guides and vendors, tell the true story of progress. Jab Valley has shown that development and conservation can go hand in hand.”
Raja Muhammad Tahir, a prominent journalist from Haripur who has actively promoted the waterfalls along with Nisar since their discovery, also praised the completion of the project. “When we started reporting on this area, there were no roads, no signage, no recognition,” he said. “Today, Jab Valley is on Pakistan’s tourism map, not by chance, but through constant effort 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 sustain what has been built and ensure that visitors respect nature and that the benefits reach local communities,” he said.
Residents have also expressed optimism that the project will bring long-term economic and social benefits. Several families have already begun offering guided tours, refreshments and crafts to visitors. Community elders said the project has provided new income opportunities while fostering environmental awareness among younger generations.
With the completion of the first phase, Hazara Falls was transformed from a remote natural wonder to a managed ecotourism destination, offering visitors a rare convergence of natural beauty, community benefit and environmental stewardship.
