Development work kicks off on Hazara Waterfalls in Jab Valley

HARIPUR: The WWF-Pakistan has launched development work at the Hazara Waterfalls in Jab Valley, Haripur, under the Water Resource Accountability Project (WRAP).

The initiative, started with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), aims to promote safe access and eco-tourism in the valley, positioning it as a new destination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Located about 25 kilometres from Haripur and 60 kilometres from Islamabad, the Hazara Waterfalls comprise a series of eight falls that have so far remained largely inaccessible.

In the first phase, Rs5 million has been allocated for building a safe pathway to the site and a hut for visitors. Currently, tourists use a rough track created by locals to transport fuelwood, which officials say is unsafe and unsuitable for increasing tourist traffic.

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WWF-Pakistan said construction work is already under way and is expected to be completed by mid-October 2025. Further phases of development will begin once approvals are secured from relevant government departments.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department has welcomed the initiative, noting that structured interventions could create new tourism opportunities while protecting the natural environment.

The waterfalls were first documented in 2021 by Hassan Nisar, founder of Metrix Pakistan, who has since worked to highlight the valley’s tourism potential.

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He described the current project as “a breakthrough that will turn Jab Valley into the next major tourist destination,” adding that it could support livelihoods, attract international visitors and boost the local economy.

Tourism experts said Jab Valley could offer an alternative to crowded destinations such as Naran, Kaghan and Swat, with the potential to become a model for sustainable tourism in the province.

WWF-Pakistan stressed that all work is being carried out with an environmental focus to preserve the valley’s natural character. With construction now in progress, officials expect Jab Valley to soon emerge as one of Pakistan’s leading eco-tourism sites.