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

(d) 2 and 3

7. Ans: c

Explanation:

Gucchi is a fungus in the family Morchellaceae of the Ascomycota. 

Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Gucchi are mushrooms found on the foothills of the Himalayas. One of the most sought- after edible mushrooms. It is rich in vitamins like riboflavin, fiber, nutrients, iron and phosphorus and is low in carbohydrates, calories, sodium, cholesterol and fat. It is the richest source of Vitamin D.

Apart from its flavour, guchhi also owes its high price to the challenges in cultivation. The mushrooms cannot be cultivated commercially as it grows only in wild, in conifer forests across temperate regions, and the foothills in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakand, and Jammu and Kashmir. And it takes months for villagers to collect enough of these mushrooms, dry them and bring them to the market.

Hence, statement 2 is correct & statement 3 is incorrect. 

Read: Previous Year UPSC Environment Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2022