With reference to 'Gucchi' sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:It is

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Question

With reference to 'Gucchi' sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:It is a fungus.It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — 1 and 2Step-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — Gucchi is a fungus: This is correct. Gucchi (also known as Morel mushroom, scientific name Morchella esculenta and related species) is indeed a fungus — specifically a rare variety of edible mushroom that is among the costliest in the world. It belongs to the family Morchellaceae. ✓Statement 2 — Grows in some Himalayan forest areas: This is correct. Gucchi mushrooms grow in clusters on decaying wood and logs in the forested areas of the Himalayan foothills — specifically in Himachal Pradesh (Kullu, Shimla, Kangra), Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir. They typically appear in spring (March–May) after snowmelt. Their rarity and labour-intensive collection contribute to their extremely high market price (₹20,000–35,000 per kg or more). ✓Statement 3 — Commercially cultivated in Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India: This is incorrect. Gucchi is notably difficult to cultivate commercially — it cannot be reliably cultivated under controlled conditions like other common mushrooms. It is collected exclusively from wild habitats during the brief spring season by local tribal communities. The statement is also geographically incorrect — the primary growing regions are in the western Himalayas (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, J&K), not the northeastern foothills. In 2022, for the first time in India, artificial cultivation of Gucchi was reportedly achieved in Himachal Pradesh — but it is still far from commercial scale. ✗Why other options are incorrect:Options A, B, and D: Incorrect because statement 3 is wrong (commercial cultivation not established).Key Concept: Gucchi (Morel mushroom) key facts: Among the most expensive mushrooms in the world; wild-harvested, not commercially cultivated; grows in the wild in the temperate forests of western Himalayas; season is brief (March–May); local tribal communities depend on it for livelihood; GI (Geographical Indication) tag was sought for Gucchi from Himachal Pradesh; nutritional value: high protein, iron, and vitamin D content.

With reference to 'Gucchi' sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:It is a fungus.It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to 'Gucchi' sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:It is a fungus.It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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