With reference to "Gucchi" sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements : 1. It is a fungus. 2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas. 3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
A
1 only
B
3 only
C
1 and 2
Correct Answer
D
2 and 3
Explanation
Gucchi (*Morchella esculenta*) is a wild fungus that grows naturally in the temperate forest ecosystems of the Western Himalayas, making statements 1 and 2 correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because Gucchi is notoriously difficult to domesticate and is primarily wild-harvested rather than commercially cultivated, and its primary habitat is Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh rather than North-Eastern India. This question tests knowledge of high-value Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and their specific geographical distribution in India.
Biodiversity (Fungi)Gucchi MushroomGucchifungusHimalayan forest areascommercial cultivationnorth-eastern India