What if we’ve been looking at the wrong places for growth? Around the world, countries are turning to their rivers, forests and mountains -- not just for beauty, but for real income. From Costa Rica’s lush rainforests to South Africa’s game reserves, nature is generating billions through ecotourism, research, and local entrepreneurship. Pakistan, with all its raw landscapes and wild wonders, holds that same promise. We just haven’t tapped into it yet.
TOURISM
What if we’ve been looking at the wrong places for growth? Around the world, countries are turning to their rivers, forests and mountains -- not just for beauty, but for real income. From Costa Rica’s lush rainforests to South Africa’s game reserves, nature is generating billions through ecotourism, research, and local entrepreneurship. Pakistan, with all its raw landscapes and wild wonders, holds that same promise. We just haven’t tapped into it yet.
In Kenya, Tanzania, and Costa Rica, visitors fly in from across the globe not just to see nature, but to experience it, respect it and pay for the privilege. Locals run eco-lodges, lead wildlife tours and earn livelihoods by protecting what’s theirs.
Pakistan is home to around 30 national parks, around 100 wildlife sanctuaries, three biosphere reserves and dozens of other protected areas, each holding a world of its own. From snow-draped mountains to sunlit wetlands, these places quietly protect some of Earth's rarest and most elusive species. Leopards, brown bears, blind river dolphins and hundreds of vibrant birds live and breathe in these fragile ecosystems. Let’s explore what Pakistan’s natural treasures bring to the world, untouched beauty, rare wildlife, and stories that only nature can tell.
Tucked among the world’s tallest peaks in Gilgit-Baltistan, Central Karakoram National Park is home to vast glaciers, roaring rivers, and rare wildlife. Snow leopards, Himalayan ibex and golden eagles all find shelter in its rugged heights. It’s a place where raw beauty meets resilience, life thriving in extreme wilderness.
Resting along the China-Pakistan border, Khunjerab National Park is a silent world of sweeping valleys and icy winds. This high-altitude haven protects the endangered Marco Polo sheep and the elusive snow leopard, while herds of Himalayan ibex roam freely. It’s a living sanctuary, cradled in the clouds.
Spread across a flat, windswept plateau between Skardu and Astore, Deosai National Park is often called the Land of Giants. In the summer, wildflowers bloom across its vast meadows, and marmots whistle from their burrows. Brown bears roam here, while migratory birds rest near the calm alpine lakes.
Just above the town of Chitral lies Chitral Gol National Park, a narrow valley where markhors leap along cliffs. Surrounded by old cedar forests, this park quietly shelters snow leopards, lynx, and dozens of mountain bird species. It’s a peaceful corner where nature still rules the rhythm of life.
Nestled in the pine-covered hills of Murree and Abbottabad, Ayubia National Park may be small, but it’s rich in forest life. Leopards, flying squirrels and colourful pheasants thrive under its cool canopies. Its winding trails and fresh mountain air offer a rare breath of wilderness near the capital.
Hingol National Park is a wild mosaic of canyons, beaches, and desert hills stretching across Balochistan's rugged coastline. It's home to Sindh leopards, ibex, marsh crocodiles, and countless migratory birds. With mud volcanoes and the iconic Princess of Hope rock, this place is as surreal as it is alive.
When people come to see snow leopards in the north or dolphins in the Indus, they spend money on guides, food, crafts and transport. That income stays close to the ground, where it matters most
High in the hills of northern Balochistan, Ziarat Juniper Forest National Park protects one of the oldest living forests on Earth. These ancient trees, some over 5,000 years old, share their home with wolves, foxes, and a variety of birds. It's a green relic of time, still breathing with quiet life.
Spanning across the Sindh-Balochistan border, Kirthar National Park offers vast, dry landscapes where wildlife still roams free. Urials, striped hyenas, and chinkara gazelles navigate their rocky terrain, while vultures circle above. It's a rugged land of survival, echoing with the raw rhythm of nature in southern Pakistan.
Where desert, forest and wetland meet in Punjab lies Lal Suhanra National Park, a rare blend of habitats supporting diverse life. It’s home to blackbucks, blue bulls, wild boars, and over 160 species of birds. This park is a living example of nature’s ability to flourish across extremes.
Bordering Islamabad’s urban sprawl, Margalla Hills National Park is a green refuge for people and wildlife. Leopards, porcupines and dozens of bird species move quietly through its pine-covered hills. Just minutes from city life, this park proves that wild beauty can survive right beside concrete and noise.
Winding through the lower Indus River in Sindh, the Indus Dolphin Reserve shelters one of the rarest freshwater dolphins on Earth. These blind, graceful creatures navigate murky waters by sound, surviving against the odds. Alongside them, turtles, fish, and birds find a fragile home in this disappearing river world.
In the lush Neelum Valley of Azad Kashmir, Machiara National Park breathes with thick forests, hidden streams, and quiet mountain wildlife. It is a reminder of what northern Kashmir once was: wild, rich and deeply alive.
Tucked near the Kaghan Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Saiful Muluk and Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Parks are dreamlike landscapes of alpine lakes and rolling meadows. Snow leopards tread quietly here, while marmots and Himalayan monals add life to the silence. These highland parks are pure poetry in motion.
Hidden in the upper reaches of Kohistan, Palas Valley National Park is a cradle of biodiversity. Towering deodar forests shelter snow leopards, wolves, and rare Western tragopans. The valley hums with bird calls and the soft tread of wild animals, untouched, mysterious, and full of life.
Resting between Gilgit and Astore, the Astore Wildlife Sanctuary holds a quieter magic. Markhors climb rocky cliffs, foxes slip through the underbrush, and golden eagles ride the skies. With its rugged charm and peaceful air, it offers a glimpse into a wilderness still standing strong.
These natural wonders are economic opportunities waiting to be nurtured. Responsible ecotourism can open doors for local jobs, small businesses and community-run lodges. When people come to see snow leopards in the north or dolphins in the Indus, they spend money on guides, food, crafts and transport. That income stays close to the ground, where it matters most.
But for any of this to work, we need to invest, not just in hotels and roads, but in training, education, and protection. Local communities should be made partners, not bystanders. If people living near these parks are supported to lead tours, grow local food or share their culture, they’ll have a reason to protect the very nature that draws visitors in the first place.
The writer is a freelance contributor. He can be reached at: ubaidsa9@gmail.com
