Hotel boom threatens Naran's beauty

Not long ago, travellers venturing past Naran into Batakundi would find themselves surrounded by slopes of vibrant green, wide-open meadows, and mountains stretching endlessly into the sky. But that landscape was changing, and quickly. Hotels, guesthouses, and private villas were steadily spreading across the valley.

Where green spaces once defined the character of the place, concrete was now asserting itself. Construction machinery rumbled, building materials lay stacked, and new properties, fresh from development, had become a common sight in a region once cherished for its quiet, natural beauty.

Hasrat Khan, who serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Balakot, a sub-division of Mansehra District in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, said that KDA has recently increased enforcement efforts against unauthorised construction and environmentally harmful developments in Kaghan Valley, especially Shogran, Naran, Kaghan, Battakundi, Jalkhad, Barwai & Baiser.

Naran continues to attract thousands of visitors every summer and remains one of Pakistan's most sought-after tourist destinations. Naran town had always been the valley's commercial heart. But Batakundi, a settlement nearby, had, until recently, maintained a quieter, less developed character. Visitors who remembered the area from 2019 spoke of only a handful of hotels operating there. Now, only a few years later, dozens of hotels and guesthouses stood completed, with many more still in various stages of construction.

Fukraj, a tourist who had visited Naran in 2023, said that she remembered a surprising difference in temperature between Naran town and Batakundi. "When we reached Naran city, the weather was surprisingly warm," she recalled. "However, as we traveled further towards Batakundi, the temperature became noticeably cooler." She said that she had since seen numerous videos on social media showcasing the extensive hotel construction in the area. She wondered if such large-scale development might be contributing to these environmental changes.

Sajida, a teacher who visited the valley in 2024, observed that environmental worries extended beyond just construction. "We stayed in a hotel near Jheel Road, and our room overlooked the green mountains," she said. "However, construction debris could be seen scattered in different places, while litter, including used diapers, was visible in several areas." She felt that tourists themselves were also playing a part in the environmental degradation when they failed to dispose of waste responsibly.

For some visitors, the shifting weather patterns and the increasing commercialisation had begun to diminish the valley's charm. Tourist Zubaida, who used to travel to Naran with her family every year, explained they had decided against visiting this year. "Every year we plan a family trip to Naran," she stated, "but this year we are staying away because of changing weather conditions." She reminisced about their enjoyment of Batakundi's beauty, but noted that recent videos showed a proliferation of hotel construction.

Rising accommodation costs had also become a significant worry for tourists. Saman, a student from Haripur, mentioned that her family was rethinking their annual visit because of the soaring hotel rates. "Hotel prices have increased significantly over the years," she pointed out. "Some three-star hotels are charging rates comparable to luxury properties." She added that many hotels advertised scenic views and charged premium prices, but visitors often found ongoing construction or obstructed views instead.

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 cherished destinations begins to fade. For now, the mountains remained, but many visitors feared that if current trends persisted, the green landscapes that defined Naran and Batakundi might gradually give way to concrete and commercial expansion.

With the proposed Mansehra–Kaghan–Naran–Chilas motorway expected to improve access to the region, tourism in the valley is likely to grow further in the coming years. However, visitors say development should be balanced with environmental protection to prevent the loss of green landscapes and natural scenery that have long defined the area's appeal.