Abstract
Honeybees are key pollinators and seed dispersers, and conserving them is critical to maintaining agricultural yields and ecological balance. This study sought to evaluate residents' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of honeybees in Pakistan. The present research was conducted in 10 districts of Punjab: Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Lahore, Sialkot, Kasur, Okara, Narowal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rahim Yar Khan. A total of 400 closed-ended questionnaires, each containing 33 items, were distributed to randomly selected respondents from communities in each district, with 40 questionnaires per district. During the survey, it was discovered that most people in Punjab valued the honeybee for more than just its beauty. The majority of respondents were familiar with honeybee products such as honey, but many were unaware of propolis, beeswax, bee pollen, and royal jelly. People in Punjab have some scientific understanding of honeybees; for example, they are aware that honeybees aid in research, benefit agriculture, and are employed in traditional and modern medicine. They are also aware that honeybees consume plant parts and help pollinate them. The majority of the population believes that honeybees are not involved in any type of magic and that their venom is not hazardous to humans. The current study improves our understanding of the cultural and economic elements that affect the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of beekeepers and the surrounding population. To improve people's present knowledge of honeybees, we support educational programs for specific community groups that highlight ecosystem services and the need to safeguard honeybees.