Haripur’s hidden gem reborn, Hazara waterfalls project reaches completion

Work has been completed at the Hazara Waterfalls in Jab Valley, Haripur, under a UK-funded eco-tourism initiative that set out to turn 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 constructed a secure walking trail, visitor hut, and viewing platforms designed to ensure both accessibility and environmental safety.

The upgraded facilities replace the hazardous local path 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 enhancements are aimed at promoting eco-friendly tourism while safeguarding Jab Valley’s fragile ecosystem.

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Discovered in 2021 by Hassan Nisar, Founder and CEO of Metrix Pakistan, the Hazara Waterfalls are now poised to become a key part of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s tourism landscape. “When I returned to Jab Valley and saw the completed 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. To now see safe pathways, eco-friendly structures, and local families earning from tourism is deeply rewarding”.

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 just to build trails, but to build hope,” Nisar said. “The smiles on the faces of the local youth, now working as guides and vendors, tell the real story of progress. Jab Valley has proved that development and conservation can go hand in hand”.

Raja Muhammad Tahir, a prominent Haripur-based journalist who has actively promoted the waterfalls alongside Nisar since their discovery, also lauded the completion of the project. “When we first began reporting on this area, there were no roads, no signage, and no recognition,” he said. “Today, Jab Valley stands on the tourism map of Pakistan, not because of chance, but because of consistent 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 visitors respect nature and that the benefits reach local communities,” he said.

Residents, too, have expressed optimism that the project will bring long-term economic and social benefits. Several families have already begun offering guided tours, refreshments, and handmade crafts to visitors. Community elders said the project has provided new income opportunities while encouraging environmental awareness among younger generations.

With the completion of the first phase, the Hazara Waterfalls stand transformed from a remote natural wonder into a managed eco-tourism destination, offering visitors a rare convergence of natural beauty, community benefit, and environmental stewardship.