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?

Answer: C. Statements 1 and 2 are correct; Statement 3 is wrong. GUCCHI (Morchella esculenta), known as the Himalayan morel mushroom, is a famous wild-foraged delicacy. Statement 1 is CORRECT. Gucchi is a FUNGUS — specifically a morel of the genus Morchella, in the Ascomycota division. Its honeycomb-textured cap is distinctive. Statement 2 is CORRECT. Gucchi grows in HIGH-ALTITUDE HIMALAYAN FOREST AREAS, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand. It thrives in pine, oak and deodar forests at altitudes of 2,500-4,000 metres. Statement 3 is WRONG. Gucchi is NOT commercially cultivated. It must be FORAGED FROM THE WILD in spring (March-May) by local tribal communities. Attempts to cultivate morels artificially have had limited success globally; commercial morel cultivation is technically challenging. Hence the high price (Rs 20,000-30,000 per kg). The reference to 'commercial cultivation in north-eastern India' is incorrect. Source: ICAR National Centre for Mushroom Research / Forest Department documents on NTFP.