Jab Valley: Pakistan’s Hidden Ecotourism Gem Set To Shine With New Uk Funded Project

Published on September 7, 2025

The breathtaking Hazara Waterfalls, a earthy gem that has hitherto been mostly undiscovered by mainstream tourists, are situated successful Haripur’s Jab Valley, conscionable a fewer hours from Islamabad. This charming location is changing nether a caller inaugural supported by an ecotourism task funded by nan UK. The nonsubjective is to found a caller taste and earthy tourism way for Pakistan while simultaneously promoting section tourism and protecting nan area’s earthy beauty. The Water Resource Accountability Project (WRAP) of WWF-Pakistan is funded by nan UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a state already renowned for its earthy beauty, Jab Valley is group to look arsenic a apical ecotourism destination arsenic improvement activity gets underway. This article examines nan ongoing project, its effects connected adjacent communities, and nan reasons why Jab Valley could soon look arsenic Pakistan’s adjacent awesome tourer destination.

The Hazara Waterfalls: A Natural Marvel Waiting to Be Explored

The Hazara Waterfalls are 1 of nan largest waterfall systems successful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, comprising 8 chopped cascades. The tallest of these falls is astir 400 feet high, making it a spectacular show for quality lovers and escapade enthusiasts. The waterfalls travel into nan Haro River, which winds its measurement done Bhamala earlier converging pinch nan Khanpur Dam. The proximity of these earthy wonders to Islamabad—just 2 hours away—makes it an charismatic destination for visitors seeking a speedy flight from nan city, yet 1 that remains comparatively untouched and little crowded than celebrated tourer spots.

The existent way starring to nan waterfalls is simply a makeshift way that has been utilized by locals for transporting firewood, which is vulnerable for tourists. As portion of nan ecotourism project, nan area is group to beryllium equipped pinch safer, well-developed infrastructure, including a due stepping way and designated tourer facilities.

Integrating Culture and Nature: Connecting Jab Valley pinch Bhamala

The ecotourism task goes beyond conscionable enhancing nan earthy beauty of Jab Valley. One of its cardinal features is nan creation of a caller tourism way that will link nan Hazara Waterfalls pinch nan taste practice of Bhamala. Bhamala is renowned for nan Bhamala Stupa, a 1,700-year-old Buddhist monument that was uncovered successful 2017. This find is 1 of nan astir important archaeological finds successful nan Gandhara region, which is celebrated for its Buddhist heritage. By linking Jab Valley’s earthy beauty pinch Bhamala’s ancient history, nan task intends to connection visitors a unsocial experience, blending outdoor escapade pinch taste exploration.

The caller tourism way will position Jab Valley arsenic not only a quality lover’s paradise but besides a destination of humanities significance. Visitors will person nan chance to research some nan Hazara Waterfalls and nan Bhamala Stupa, creating a rich, immersive experience. For those willing successful history, nan Bhamala Stupa stands arsenic a testament to nan region’s Buddhist past, while nan waterfalls connection an idyllic mounting for relaxation and outdoor activities for illustration hiking and quality walks.

Infrastructure Development: Building Sustainable Tourism

The first shape of nan task has already begun, pinch an finance of Rs 5 cardinal allocated for building captious infrastructure. A awesome constituent of this shape is nan creation of a safe and accessible stepping way to nan waterfalls, replacing nan vulnerable firewood-carrying way presently utilized by locals. This caller way is expected to beryllium completed by mid-October 2025, offering visitors a unafraid measurement to scope nan waterfalls while preserving nan earthy environment.

In summation to nan stepping path, a mini tourer hut is being built wherever visitors tin remainder and bask section refreshments. These accommodation will beryllium cautiously designed to blend into nan surroundings, ensuring that nan biology effect is minimal. The task intends to beryllium environmentally sustainable, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices to guarantee nan region’s earthy resources are protected.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department has expressed beardown support for nan project, emphasising nan value of creating caller tourism destinations that not only pull visitors but besides sphere nan vulnerable situation of Jab Valley. Sustainable tourism practices will guarantee that nan area’s beauty remains intact for early generations to enjoy.

Economic and Social Benefits for Local Communities

One of nan astir important impacts of this ecotourism inaugural will beryllium connected nan section community. Jab Valley is location to respective agrarian communities, galore of whom trust connected subsistence activities for illustration firewood postulation for their livelihood. As portion of nan project, replacement employment opportunities will beryllium created for section youth, peculiarly successful areas specified arsenic guiding, driving, and moving mini businesses that cater to tourists.

Local shopkeepers will use from nan influx of visitors, and location will beryllium opportunities for section artisans to showcase their crafts, adding a taste magnitude to nan tourism experience. Additionally, nan task intends to displacement section reliance connected firewood postulation by promoting sustainable practices. This includes educating nan organization astir nan value of protecting nan situation while still uncovering ways to support their families.

By empowering nan section organization done jobs and sustainable livelihoods, nan ecotourism task will person a lasting affirmative effect connected nan region’s economical development.

Jab Valley: A New Alternative for Pakistan’s Tourism

With due improvement and marketing, Jab Valley has nan imaginable to go an charismatic replacement to nan overcrowded tourer spots successful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, specified arsenic Naran, Kaghan, and Swat. These areas are often overrun pinch tourists, particularly during highest seasons, starring to issues for illustration biology degradation and overcrowding. Jab Valley, connected nan different hand, offers an off-the-beaten-path experience, wherever visitors tin bask quality successful its purest shape while avoiding nan hustle and bustle of much celebrated destinations.

Tourism experts judge that pinch thoughtful planning, Jab Valley could soon go 1 of Pakistan’s apical ecotourism destinations. The region’s earthy beauty, mixed pinch its rich | taste history, positions it to pull some section and world tourists. The task besides envisions connecting Jab Valley to a larger tourism circuit, making it easier for visitors to research nan area arsenic portion of a broader travel done Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A Model for Sustainable Eco-Tourism

The biology protection facet of nan task is of utmost importance. WWF-Pakistan is ensuring that each improvement activity follows strict biology guidelines to protect nan valley’s ecosystems. The improvement of eco-friendly infrastructure, mixed pinch efforts to conserve earthy resources, is integral to nan project’s semipermanent success. If successful, nan exemplary being developed successful Jab Valley could service arsenic a blueprint for different hidden earthy gems successful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, encouraging sustainable tourism practices crossed nan region.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Jab Valley

Jab Valley is en way to becoming a well-known ecotourism destination, pinch building already underway. Jab Valley is expected to go a celebrated destination for environmentally conscious visitors owed to its stunning waterfalls, humanities significance, and sustainable tourism practices. The region will beryllium transformed by nan ecotourism project, which will sphere its earthy and taste practice for early generations to bask while providing caller economical opportunities for section communities.

[Image Source: Associated Press of Pakistan]