Hazara Waterfalls emerge as eco-tourism landmark

UK-funded initiative turns Jab Valley's waterfalls into sustainable tourist destination

HARIPUR:

Work on the Hazara Waterfalls in Jab Valley, Haripur, has been completed under a UK-funded eco-tourism initiative aimed at turning the area into one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's most distinctive natural attractions.

The project, supported by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and 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 constructed a secure walking trail, visitor hut, and viewing platforms designed to ensure accessibility and environmental safety.

The upgraded facilities replace the previously unsafe local path, providing a safer route to the site's eight major cascades - the tallest of which rises nearly 400 feet.

These improvements aim to promote eco-friendly tourism while preserving Jab Valley's fragile ecosystem.

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 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 said 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," he added.

"The smiles on the faces of 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 Haripur-based journalist who has been promoting the waterfalls alongside Nisar since their discovery, also welcomed the project's completion. "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."

Tahir added that sustained media attention and responsible tourism management would be essential to preserving the valley's pristine environment.

"The challenge now is to maintain what has been built - ensuring 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.