UK-funded initiative turns Jab Valley waterfalls into sustainable tourist destination
HARIPUR:
Hazara waterfall
Work on the Hazara Falls in the Jab Valley, Haripur, has been completed under a UK-funded ecotourism initiative aimed at turning 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 million, the initiative built a safe walking trail, a visitor hut and viewing platforms designed to ensure accessibility and environmental safety.
The upgraded facilities replace the previously unsafe local road and provide a safer route to the site’s eight main waterfalls, the tallest of which rises nearly 400 feet.
These improvements aim to promote eco-tourism while preserving the fragile Jab Valley ecosystem.
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 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 said 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 to generate hope,” he added.
“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 journalist from Haripur who has been promoting the waterfalls along Nisar since its discovery, also celebrated 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.”
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, 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 begun offering guided tours, refreshments and handmade crafts to visitors.
Community elders said the project has created new income opportunities while fostering environmental awareness among younger generations.
