Here is Question No. 45 a part of our series on UPSC Prelims 2022.
Q45. 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? a) 1 only b) 3 only c) 1 and 2 d) 2 and 3
Answer – C
Statement 1 is correct: Guchhi mushroom is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae of the Ascomycota. One of the most sought-after edible mushrooms, such is known for it spongy, honeycombed head and savory flavour but all of that comes at a high price.
Statement 2 is correct: Gucchi mushrooms are mostly grown in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir in India, where they develop in clusters on logs in rotting wood. The mushrooms cannot be cultivated commercially and grow in conifer forests across temperature regions.
Statement 3 is not correct: There are only a few brief weeks in the spring when fresh morel mushrooms are available. Locals gather it from the wild environments in the northwest Himalayas
